
2025-2026 A1 Semi-Pro League to feature 16 teams
THE 2025-2026 A1 Semi-Pro League competition will see 16 teams participating compared to 15 last season.
The increase in the number of teams follows the Amateur Football League's (AFL) confirmation of the four more teams: Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC), Guar Syed Alwi (GSA FC), FC Seoul Phoenix, and UM-Damansara United.
AFL chairman Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi stated that KDA FC, GSA FC, and Seoul Phoenix were previously granted conditional approval and were required to fulfil several criteria and submit documents within the specified timeframe.
He said the AFL also confirmed the participation of UM-Damansara United, which was previously placed on the waiting list along with Ipoh City FC.
'After going through the document review and criteria set just like other teams, UM- Damansara United was also confirmed to participate, bringing the total to 16 teams participating in the 2025-2026 A1 Semi Pro League.
'As for Ipoh City FC, the team has decided to withdraw from the competition,' he said in a statement today.
Previously, the AFL announced that 12 teams had successfully confirmed their participation for the upcoming season.
The teams are Armed Forces FC, Manjung City FC, Immigration FC II, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) II, Selangor FC II, Kelantan WTS FC, Kedah FA, Machan FC, Kelantan Red Warriors FC, Bunga Raya FC, Malaysian University and the Perak Football Association (PAFA).
For the record, Melaka FC was crowned champions last season, while Immigration FC came in second place, thus qualifying on merit for the 2025-2026 Super League.
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Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
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The participants focus on their game during ASCI 2025 at the KPPI in UM, Kuala Lumpur. WHEN 22-year-old Vanessa Ting Mei Yu stood in the heart of the buzzing Research and Innovation Management Complex (KPPI) at Universiti Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur, surrounded by rows of Scrabble boards and focused players from across the globe, she was not just witnessing a tournament. The young woman was truly living her dream. A second-year pharmacy student from Miri, Vanessa had just led one of the biggest students-run Scrabble tournaments in the world – the ASTAR Scrabble Challenge International (ASCI) 2025. 'Becoming the director of ASCI really pushed me to a level that I never imagined,' she told thesundaypost in Kuching. 'There were moments when I doubted myself, but then, I reminded myself that I was doing this not just for the event, but to prove what students like us were capable of.' 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Also present were international icons like Manop Phiphatboonserm of Thailand, Douglas Tsang of Hong Kong, and Mohamad Ali Ismail, the president of the MSA. Young players attempt to outdo one another in their category. Sarawak pride on the board Vanessa was not the only one flying the Sarawak flag high. Three young players – Delbert Tiong Guo-Yi, Herby Liew Yong He, and Shelifina Dangkan – represented the state with pride and passion. For Delbert, ASCI 2025 was deeply meaningful. 'It was a proud and unforgettable experience. I wasn't just playing for myself, but for Sarawak and everyone who has supported me,' said the student from Catholic High School in Sibu. One of his highlights was finally beating his long-time Malaysian rival Dresden Lim, who had previously defeated him by over 100 points at a previous World Youth Scrabble Championship. 'This time, I won and it meant the world to me. It felt like all the hard work finally paid off.' 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'What touched me most was how Scrabble brought everyone together. People of all ages and backgrounds bonded over the same board. 'I hope that the ASCI would continue to grow and maybe one day, could make its way to Sarawak. 'Scrabble is more than just a game – it's a bridge between people, places, and ideas, and I'd love to see more people experience that.' bridge global kuala lumpur miri Scrabble Vanessa Ting Mei Yu


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