KUCHING: PETRONAS’s ongoing commitment to providing a sports development platform for Sarawakian youth through the Petronas Youth Football Championship League 2025 (PYFCL 2025) has been described as a highly significant initiative for uncovering talent and shaping the character of the state's younger generation.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, stated that the league's organisation focuses on more than just winning or losing.

Instead, it emphasises the comprehensive involvement of all parties within the football development ecosystem.

According to him, the strong support from parents who filled the stadium clearly demonstrates the vital role of the family unit in an athlete's success, particularly among young players aged between 14 and 16.

"Behind every successful sportsperson, there is continuous support from parents. Their cheers and presence tonight prove an extraordinary commitment and passion toward their children’s development in sports," he said during the Closing and Prize Presentation Ceremony of the PYFCL 2025, held at the Sarawak Stadium, Petra Jaya, on Saturday.

He further emphasised that football involves more than just the 22 players on the pitch; it encompasses the crucial roles of individuals off the field, including coaches, referees, stadium staff, medical teams, and tournament management.

Datuk Abdullah noted that the values of discipline, teamwork, emotional control, and adherence to coaching instructions instilled through football should be translated into the daily lives of young players to foster balanced and resilient personalities.

He expressed hope that such tournaments will continue in the future and be further empowered through the improvement of sporting facilities, particularly in rural and remote areas of Sarawak, to give more young talents the opportunity to showcase their abilities at higher levels.

Meanwhile, Datuk Abdullah urged parents not to lose heart in encouraging their children to remain active in sports, as such involvement helps build good character and steer youth away from social ills.

Meanwhile, General Manager of PETRONAS Sarawak, Norazibah M Rabu, stated that PYFCL 2025 is more than just a competition; it serves as a holistic development platform for Sarawakian youth, covering discipline, team spirit, and personal resilience.

She revealed that from the initial PETRONAS Youth Football Championship Tournament (PYFCT) through to the PYFCL 2025 finale, a total of 819 matches were played, involving 40,755 minutes of game time and recording 1,116 goals.

This reflects the massive potential of Sarawak's young talent to be highlighted on a larger stage.

The closing ceremony featured a thrilling final match between My Team C SMKAI and KV Miri Landas Youth Team, with the latter securing victory via a last-minute goal.

Also in attendance were Chairman of the Sarawak Civil Service Commission, Datu Kameri Affandi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Morshidi Fredrick, and PETRONAS Senior General Manager of Stakeholder Relations, Khairuddin M Jaafar. - UKASnews

Reporter: Firdaus Materang
Translator: Ryan Lim
Photographer: Naseem