DEBUTANTS Wawasan 2020 and Destiny Football Development Centre won the Tan Sri Hamidin Amin Challenge Trophy Xmail FC Veterans and Under-16 9s football tournaments respectively at Melwood Arena, Sungai Buloh last weekend.
Organised by Kuala Lumpur XMail Veterans FC, eight teams competed in each category in the tournament at the scenic Melwood Arena, surrounded by hills and forest.
FAM president Hamidin said: "I'm glad to see small clubs organising tournaments like this, especially age-group tournaments to unearth young talent and give them competition exposure.
"As for the veterans, it's good to still see them in the game, which helps them to keep fit while still active in the game.
"As this tournament also incorporates an Under-16 event, the veteran players should serve as example for the youngsters with their discipline in the game, fair play, besides displaying their vintage skill."
The teams who competed in the veterans category (for age 45 years and above) were hosts XMail FC Veterans, Melwood Boys FC, Club Aman, UM Legends, Wawasan 2020, Rain FC, MCFA and Sportwriters Association
of Malaysia.
Participating in the Under-16 were My World Hunters FA Academy (Penang), Black Leopard FA (KL), CIMB YFA (KL), DTFT (Selangor), KR7 FC (Melaka), Destiny FDC (Selangor), Wira MAS Ipoh (Perak) and PD U Rangers FC (Port Dickson).
In the Veterans final, Wawasan 2020 beat Rain FC 3-2 on penalty kicks after the match was tied 1-1 after regulation time. In the Plate final, Xmail defeated UM Legends 3-1.
The Under-16 final between Destiny FDC and CIMB YFA was marred by some rough play, which did not augur well for football development.
National Under-16 team manager Christopher Raj, who was present, was not amused by what he saw, although he saw some talent.
CIMB YFA coach Gobi was red carded for entering the field when their goalkeeper was injured without the referee's permission, and he uttered some unpleasantries to the latter. Destiny's Micha Foo was red carded for rough play.
Destiny won the final 2-0 with goals from Adam Danish and Zafran Rasfan.