Malacca scours for next football star through Datuk Soh Chin Aun Cup

MALACCA: Noticing a decline in interest among Chinese youth in pursuing careers in football, Malacca-based Lagenda FC yesterday launched the Datuk Soh Chin Aun Cup.

Organised as a platform to unearth young Chinese talent, the under-12 tournament, held at the Hang Tuah stadium, saw the participation of 12 teams from Chinese vernacular national schools.

Lagenda FC president Datuk Gary Choo said teams that took part included SJK (C) Bachang, Bukit Beruang, SJK (C) Wen Hua, Bukit Baru, SJK (C) Kiow Min, Alor Gajah, SJK (C) Cheng and Lagenda FC Junior.

Although the teams hailed from Chinese national schools, most featured multi-racial members.

Former national football star Soh said his namesake tournament proves that football can attract a multiracial crowd, further strengthening unity among the races.

"What is important is that we forge unity through football. It is important for children to experience the racial unity and harmony that we saw with our multiracial national squad that made it to the Olympics in 1972 and 1980," he said.

He attributed the decline in the number of Chinese players in the past decade to parents placing more emphasis on academics.

"We need more such tournaments to encourage parents to send their children to learn football," said Soh.

Also present at the event were former national players Soh Chor Len, Ching Hong Aik and 1980s Malacca players Ng Joon Tai, Lim Yu Poh and Musafar Shah Dawood Shah.