Hartlepool stint for Sarawak trio

New Straits Times, Oct 22, 2008 | by Nancy Nais

THREE Sarawak players have been selected to undergo a two-month training stint with the English Division One football club Hartlepool.

State Social Development and Urbanisation Minister, Datuk Seri Willam Mawan Ikom said the trio - Mohd Shahrol Shaperi, 24, Joseph Kalang Tie, 21, and Zamri Morshidi, 25 - will leave on Oct 28.

Proud of the players, Mawan said he hoped they will use this opportunity to improve, and on their return, impart their knowledge to other local players.

"More importantly, they can help to revive Sarawak's past glory in football," Mawan said at a press conference yesterday.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) technical director Robert Alberts is tipped to become Sarawak's new head coach.

NEW FOOTBALL CLUB FOR SARAWAK

KUCHING, May 13, 2008 (Bernama) - A new full-fledged professional football club focusing solely on winning major football trophies for Sarawak is to be formed soon to revive the dwindling standard of the state's game in major tournaments.

Sarawak Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk Seri William Mawan Ikom said that with the proposed formation of the club, the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) would take on the new role of mainly implementing the long-term football development programme with his ministry and the Education Department.

"The steering committee has been formed comprising myself, officials from FAS and officials from English Division One club Hartlepool," he told reporters after the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.

Mawan had wound up debate on his ministry at the meeting.

Mawan said the new club was expected to be jointly managed by his ministry and the private sector with a more organised and professional approach.