BY Fadhil Yunus

Local grassroots football development programme Projek Ikan Pusu (PIP) received a sponsorship boost following a handover event of three sets of Pitch brand football jerseys on Thursday.

HiTUNE Group of Companies Acting General Manager Nurul Izzati Naqibah binti Zaidi handed the jerseys to PIP Head Coach Haji Omar bin Haji Jamil and PIP Youth Coach Mohd Adi Shahirol Izzat bin Haji Omar.

Nurul Izzati Naqibah said that one of HiTUNES’ corporate aims is to be more involved in sports, especially football while the sponsorship highlighted the company’s support of the Sultanate’s junior football programme.

“It is our pleasure to sponsor Projek Ikan Pusu. We hope it will become even more successful in the future and produce more top-quality young players to represent our country,” she said.

While the PIP programme is currently readily accessible for the young generation and youth, Haji Omar stressed that the support from the wider community in Brunei remains vital.

He said, “I must take this opportunity to thank the coaches for their extreme passion and compassion in building the future of Brunei football.

Over the years, PIP has played an influential role in developing and producing thousands of capable footballers in the country since its establishment in 2001.

Currently, Haji Omar said that there are 500 registered players, which is the maximum that the programme can accommodate.

He conveyed gratitude to HiTUNE Group of Companies, adding that the sponsorship will assist them in their preparations towards competitions.

In addition, Haji Omar also hoped to see the establishment of more clubs and academies to encourage keener competition and helps the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam to assemble their age-group national teams.

The head coach also cited FIFA Development Officer Dato Yap Nyiem Kiong’s statement that a national team will not be good without a good grassroots football.

Meanwhile, the local grassroots development programme has announced that local football apparel manufacturer Pitch will be their official kit partner, including jerseys for coaches and officials.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin