The upcoming Veteran Invitational 11-a-side Football Championship organised by the BTB Management Group will provide an opportunity to bring together former players who represented the Sultanate.
Tournament Deputy Chairman Haji Mahaddi bin Haji Matzain highlighted this in an interview with the Bulletin on the sidelines of a draw ceremony on Monday.
Haji Mahaddi said, “The purpose of organising this tournament is to gather the past national players who had represented the country including those who won the Malaysia Cup. These players are still active in football so we help bring them back together to enliven the event.”
“Basically, there are numerous past players and legends who will be involved in the competition.”
The tournament also aims to preserve an active and healthy lifestyle and strengthen closer ties including veterans who never had the chance to play at the top level.
The deputy chairman concluded, “Insya Allah if the tournament runs smoothly and receives a good response, we will be making an even better tournament in the future. Perhaps, we will even add from eight to 10 teams.”
Present to provide details and regulations of the tournament were tournament Secretary Haji Norazmie bin PDP Haji Abdul Razak; Chief Secretariat Haji Faizan bin Haji Matusin; and a representative from the Brunei Darussalam Referee Association Amir bin Haji Yunus.
Eight teams split into two groups will vie for top honours including Azam FT, V Legend, Permata Hijau in Group ‘A’ and SM FC, KPPKSK, PSJD, and ITF in Group ‘B’.
The veteran meet will kick off on Sunday starting with the group stage at the Berakas Sports Complex. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals followed with the final to determine the champion on November 18. – Fadhil Yunus
