MOHE launches Pre-U Cup tournament

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17  -- The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is organising its very first ‘Pre-U Cup’ tournament from Nov 22-27, as part of an initiative to provide football academies in the country a platform to produce young talents of quality.

The tournament will be held at the Mokhtar Dahari Football Academy (AMD) located in Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang. Four teams have confirmed their participation, namely AMD A, AMD B, Felda Football Academy and the Malaysian University Football Team (MUFT).

Apart from allowing youths under 17 to showcase their talents on the field, the tournament is also a platform for teams or institutions of higher learning to identify credible players.

“In case a graduate of the academy is left out or sidelined by any team or club, this tournament can be a stepping stone for them to continue their playing career or join an institution of higher learning if parties are interested in their talents.

"This would indirectly help MOHE to produce more ‘thinking athletes’ or ‘thinking footballers’,”  said MOHE's deputy secretary-general (policy) Dr Mohd Zabri Yusoff.

Earlier, Mohd Zabri launched the 2021 Pre-U Cup 2021 tournament and the Malaysian University Football Association (MUFA) at Dewan Za’ba, which was aired live on the ministry's official Facebook today.

MOHE also made history with the launch of MUFA. 

The Sports Commissioner’s Office (PJS) approved its registration last June.

The approval opens a new chapter in the country's football arena that would enable MUFA to streamline its organisational structure and produce more trainers and referees internally, apart from improving the quality of players.

“I believe if MUFA is accepted as a member for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the grassroots development programme and the management of football at the IPT level will be enhanced, and eventually become one of the main contributors of players to the national team one day,” said Mohd Zabri.

--  BERNAMA