SUKMA: FT Targets Bronze Medal In Football

By Norhayati Mohd Akhir

CYBERJAYA, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territories football team is aiming for a bronze medal at the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024 in Sarawak, which will be held from Aug 17 to 24.

Federal Territories Sports Council (MSWP) director Nik Ahmad Zahiruddin Nik Saleh said this target was set after evaluating the performance and quality of the players, who are a mix of those who played in the 2022 Youth Cup and the 2023 President's Cup.

"I see something positive in this team. I aim for a top-four finish, matching our previous achievement, but if luck is on our side, we hope to stand on the podium with a bronze medal.

“This (football) is the mother of all medals. If the team wins bronze, there will be incentives from MSWP," he told Bernama after watching a friendly match between the Federal Territories football squad and PDRM FC here recently.

He believed that coach Mohd Nidzam Adzha Yusoff could continue enhancing understanding among the players for the squad to do well at SUKMA Sarawak.

Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the Federal Territories contingent (WiPers) is targeting 70 gold medals to realise the mission of becoming the overall champion of SUKMA.

Dr Zaliha also announced incentives of up to RM5,000 for gold medal winners (individual and team), RM2,000 for silver, and RM1,000 for bronze as a motivation for the WiPers contingent.

Meanwhile, Mohd Nidzam Adzha said his football squad is now in the final phase of training, which was progressing well despite the absence of national striker Haqimi Azim Rosli.

Mohd Nidzam Adzha said they hoped KL City would consider releasing Haqimi Azim to join his teammates at the SUKMA event.

-- BERNAMA