32 teams to compete in Under-12 league tournament

Thirty-two teams from Perak, Penang and the Klang Valley will battle for the Liga 1MCC Under-12 title next month.

1MCC and Cardiff City Football Club (Holdings) Limited chairman Datuk Chan Tien Ghee said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was expected to officiate the league at the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) on March 31.

1Malaysia Cardiff City plans for the Liga 1MCC to kick off on March 3 with the competing  teams  divided into two groups.

Each  team will play  15 matches in the round robin preliminary round.

The top eight teams from each group will square off in the last 16 of the knockout stage.

The teams will be in action every Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am to 5pm at the RRI  ground  in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.

The Liga 1MCC is an FAM-sanctioned league and is a platform for  aspiring footballers to make their mark in a fun-filled and safe environment.

Players who impress  will stand a chance of attending a training stint at  Cardiff City Youth Academy which is renowned for its well-structured programmes and philosophy.

Tien Ghee said: "The Liga 1MCC provides a platform for youths from different social, economic and racial backgrounds to come together to realise their full  potential. If we can identify a potential football star, that would be a bonus.

"However, our programme is structured to reach out to all youths, encouraging a healthy lifestyle through  football.

"Other attributes such as team spirit, discipline, responsibility and commitment will emerge over time. This is also about developing our youth to be good citizens of the country."

Tien Ghee was speaking at the team managers' meeting at Bukit Kiara Club yesterday  where the team managers of the 32  teams  gathered for the  draw.

The teams:-
Shah Alam Academy FC, Akademi Bolasepak Kota Damansara, Akademi Bolasepak MBPJ, Akademi Bolasepak Tunas Lagenda, Akademi Persatuan Sukan Bintang Biru, Akadem iSoccerkids-MBSA, Astaka FC, CIMB-YFA Bintang Muda, Glenmarie United, Jasmine Junior FC, Junior Soccer Schools,  Kelab Bolasepak Remaja Harimau Klang, Kelab Bolasepak Puchong United FC, Kelab Bolasepak Remaja Bersatu, Kelab Nuri Bank Rakyat, Kuala Lumpur Youth Soccer,  Lestari Junior FC, Little League Soccer, Mahkota Football Academy, MBJ United, MY Kids Soccer, PFKA Batu Caves, PKNS FC, PNSB FC, Proficient Football Academy,  Qube Football Academy, Red Giant Kid, Royal Selangor Club, S.P.T Indians Football Academy, Sweet Soccer Academy, UKRC Junior Kids, Junior Kids Perak Soccer Academy.