Kota Kinabalu (Dec 12) - Sandakan-based Musketeers Football Academy (MFA) delivered an encouraging performance in its first appearance at the PFAM Grassroot Cup 2025, organised by the Professional Football Association of Malaysia (PFAM) at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) in Bangi, Selangor, on December 6.
Competing in the Under-12 category, MFA fielded a squad of 10 players and finished fifth overall out of 12 participating teams. Adding to the academy’s success, player Muhammad Ramadhan Shah was awarded the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in recognition of his outstanding contribution.
Head coach Arif Tumin, supported by assistants Talib Karam and Mohd Noor Among, described the maiden outing as a meaningful milestone for the academy.
“As the first grassroots football academy from Sandakan to compete in the PFAM Grassroot Cup 2025, our players demonstrated strong potential, and we are very satisfied with their overall performances,” he said.
He also expressed pride in Muhammad Ramadhan Shah’s achievement, noting that the MVP accolade reflected his excellent and consistent displays throughout the tournament.
Arif added that the academy remains confident of further progress by taking part in more national-level competitions in the future, in line with its ‘More Than Football’ philosophy, which focuses on holistic player development through the integration of sportsmanship, knowledge, leadership and character alongside physical and technical skills.
During the trip, the players were also given the opportunity to engage in a special session with Sabah FC players and visited several football-related landmarks, including Merdeka Stadium and the Malaysian Football Mini Museum, as part of their exposure to the nation’s football history, heritage and ecosystem.