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MUKAH, Oct 12: PETRONAS is expanding its grassroots football development programme in Sarawak with the introduction of Mukah as a new host location for the 2026 PETRONAS Youth Football Closed Tournament (PYFCT) for the Under-14 and Under-16 categories.
The tournament kicked off at Padang Mesra Majlis Daerah Dalat dan Mukah (MDDM), bringing together eight Under-14 teams and nine Under-16 teams from across the region.
The Mukah edition provides young footballers with greater opportunities to compete in a structured sporting environment while strengthening efforts to identify and nurture emerging talent in Sarawak.
Matches will be played over the weekends from Oct 10 to Nov 8, with teams competing in a single-round league format under FIFA’s Laws of the Game and PYFCT tournament regulations.
The tournament also aims to instil values such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance and sportsmanship, helping young players develop both on and off the pitch.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Mukah District Officer Paleadzman Anak Ahip, alongside Mukah District Education Officer Awang Yusri bin Awang Adeni, Mukah District Police Chief DSP Muhamad Rizal bin Alias and Mukah Divisional Health Officer Dr. Muhammad Najib bin Hasan @ Ahmad.
The Under-14 and Under-16 competitions are also being held in Kuching and Bintulu, with the Kuching edition beginning on Sept 27 and the Bintulu edition scheduled to start on Oct 17.
The top two teams in each age category will qualify for the PETRONAS Youth Football Champions League 2026, scheduled for Dec 6 to 13.
The Champions League will bring together eight teams in each age category, providing a further competitive platform for young footballers to showcase their abilities.
Through PYFCT, PETRONAS continues to support grassroots sports development by widening access to organised football competitions and creating pathways for the next generation of football talent in Sarawak. – TVS
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