KUALA LUMPUR – The third instalment of the Datuk Haji Hamidin Mohd Amin-XMail FC Veterans 9s tournament is set to take place on September 16, coinciding with Malaysia Day, at the Ipoh Padang in Perak.
This year’s edition will see the introduction of two new additions – an under-16 tournament and the inaugural participation of the Philippines’ Bacolod United.
In a statement today, the organiser said that the U-16 tournament will have its own Challenge Trophy, while Bacolod United will be marking their debut in the veterans’ category.
The Datuk Hamidin Challenge trophies awarded to the winners are donated by the Football Association of Malaysia president.
Organised by the Kuala Lumpur XMail Veterans FC, in collaboration with local partners Ipoh Friday Club and supported by Ipoh City Council, eight invited teams in each category will compete in the one-day tournament.
The statement added that the teams competing in the veterans category for players 45 years and above are the Kinta Indian Association, Perak’s Lintau FC, Navashini Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council, Selangor’s Melwood Boys, Bacolod United FC, Ipoh City Hall, Navashini Ipoh FC and KL XMail FC.
In the U-16 category, the teams are Black Leopard Kenaga from Kuala Lumpur, My World Hunters FA Football Academy from Penang, Perak’s Klebang Selatan FC, Ipoh City Hall Academy, Dinding Indian Association Sitiawan from Perak, Perak’s Tejarians, CIMB YFA from Selangor and Ipoh Friday Club Academy.
“The teams will be divided into two groups within each category, engaging in a round-robin format.
“The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, while the third-placed team in the groups will battle for glory in the Losers Pool final.
“The tournament will be officiated by Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin,” read the statement.
The champion of the veterans category will receive prize money of RM2,500.
The runners-up will be rewarded with RM1,500, while the third and fourth-placed teams will receive RM600 and RM300, respectively, along with coveted medals.
In the Losers Pool final, the winner will claim RM300, while the runner-up will take home RM200, in addition to medals.
Though there are no monetary prizes for the U-16 category, it will witness its own set of individual accolades.
There will also be individual awards for the best goalkeeper, top scorer, and best player in the final, as well as a team trophy for fair play.
The inaugural edition was held in Kuala Kubu Bharu in 2021, and the next was in Taiping last year.
The defending champions, XMail FC, will be looking to retain their title. – September 13, 2023