Courtesy: Brunei Direct/Borneo Bulletin


New U-10 And U-12 Leagues

Sunday, 30 January 2011

by James Kon

Saturday, 29 January 2011

Bandar Seri Begawan - The DST Group Brunei Premier League 2011/2012 is scheduled to start in March and this year, FFBD, the football governing body of Brunei Darussalam, will introduce another two national leagues - U-10 and U-12.

The new U-140 and U-12 national league to nurture the young was revealed by FFBD Secretary-General Sheikh Nordin Sheikh Mohamad during a dialogue session with representatives, of teams in DST Group Brunei Premier League yesterday.

"When we look at football, we have to look at the long term development.

Since two years ago, FFBD have always been active in organising carnivals for those 8 to 12 years old. In our plan, we want the grassroots development to start early from eight to 10 years old and 10 to 12 years old.

This is because we want the children to be involved in football at an early age and to instill an interest in football," Sheikh Nordin said.

"In our discussion with DST Group, they had agreed to sponsor the U-10 and U-12 leagues.

Teams joining the leagues can also include teams who are not from schools.

We also have early discussion with schools and they supported the leagues."

"FFBD also hoped to organise a national futsal league.

This is the right time due to the growing number of futsal tournaments," Sheikh. Nordin said.

"I believed the National Futsal League should be played at the end of the year with the onset of the raining season.

My personal view is also on specialisation whereby players who play futsal is only for futsal and football only for football. This is to increase the numbers of players in each sport."

On behalf of FFBD, Sheikh Nordin apologised for the late start of the DST Group Brunei Premier League this year because of unforeseen circumstances.

"It's the mission of FFBD to involve everyone in football. We don't want to have politics in football, we only want teams to play football and to raise the standard of football in Brunei," Sheikh Nordin added.

In Premier I (home and away format), the confirmed 10 teams are QAF FC, MS ABDB, Majra FC, Jerudong FC, Wijaya FC, AH United, AM Gunners FC, Indera FC, LLRC FT and Prison Department Sports Club.

In Premier II, the nine confirmed teams are Brunei Shell Football Team. Muara Vella FC, Perkasa, Lun Bawang FC, Kilanas FC, Menglait FC, Brunei Youth Team, DST Group and BIBD.

The last team has yet to be decided. Kota Rangers FC still have to fight for a spot in a qualifying against a number of new teams including the Royal Brunei Police Force Team.

The curtain raiser will be the Champions Cup which will see QAF FC, the defending champion, up against MS ABDB on March 5.

The Premier 1 League will start on March 8 while Premier 2 will commence on March 25.

In addition to the FA Cup, there will also be League Cup for all the teams in Premier I and II. Other competitions like the U-14 and U-16 will also be held.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com