Players exhibited individual skill and strong teamwork on the court throughout the futsal carnival.
Akademi Bola Sepak Wira Muda (AWM) finally broke through in the Milo Hidup Bola Futsal Carnival, securing their first-ever Under-12 championship title.
After years of falling short, the Penang-based club’s perseverance paid off in the grand finale, earning them the title.
Coach Shahrul Faizal Ahmad expressed pride in his team’s achievement.
He attributed their success to the team’s unwavering spirit and determination.
The Under-12 champions AWM, celebrating their victory after the Milo Hidup Bola Futsal Carnival.
“We not only qualified but also secured first place in our category this year,” he said after the tournament in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
The other champion of this year’s grand finale in the Under-16 category was Court Soccer ‘A’, bagging RM15,000 and the coveted Milo Hidup Bola Cup.
This was their third consecutive championship title, a testament to their outstanding performance and dedication.
In the Under-16 category, PFA Odin FC from Sarawak secured second place, matching their performance in 2019.
Now in its 18th year, the Hidup Bola tournament continues to raise the profile of futsal among young Malaysians.
Court Soccer ‘A’, the Under-16 champions at the Milo Hidup Bola Futsal Carnival in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, with Lim (right) and Milo Malaysia sports marketing assistant manager Sheena Ayesha Dina Rizal (left).
The tournament featured teams from all 13 states and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur in the under-12 and under-16 categories, with 12,000 participants competing across the nation.
Since its inception in 2006, the event has played a crucial role in discovering future sports stars.
One of its notable alumni is Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat, a professional footballer and midfielder for Penang in the Malaysia Super League.
Nestle (Malaysia) Milo sports marketing head Lim Kerwin highlighted the importance of the tournament for discovering new talents.
“The talent of young futsal players was amazing to witness at this year’s Hidup Bola tournament, which pulled out all the stops so we could give as many players an opportunity to show off their skills,” he said.
“Through futsal, which is one of the widely played sports among Malaysians, we strive to instil the importance of values like persistence, discipline and teamwork, which are essential on and off the court.”
Lim said Hidup Bola remained a clear testament to the power of sports in uniting communities and inspiring youth to pursue their dreams, while the tournament continued to be a premier platform for unleashing talent and enabling young stars to shine.
