Latest news with #AseanAll-Stars
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Man Utd cheer for Orang Asli boys
KUALA LUMPUR: In Cameron Highlands, a group of young Orang Asli footballers play with nothing, but heart, barefoot and torn balls on uneven ground. Their team are known as the Botaks, which ironically reflects a team quite bare in football equipment. The boys come from Sekolah Kebangsaan Lemoi, a remote school where they still dream of football greatness despite what little they have. Their only glimpses of Manchester United stars like Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Alejandro Garnacho came through television broadcasts if they were lucky to have access. Jerseys, boots and professional equipment were things they only saw on TV screen, social media, or in faded old magazines. But last week, they received something unexpected — the football gear that was used in Manchester United's recent friendly game against the Asean All-Stars at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The gift came as a collaboration between public relations agency ShekhinahPR and football marketing consultancy ProEvents. Fifteen pairs of brand-new football boots were also donated to the school. For these children, who come from poor families and live in areas where basic facilities are often lacking, owning boots or equipment worn by world-famous players make them feel on top of the world. "We believe that sport has the power to change lives," said ShekhinahPR CEO Christopher Raj. "Through this contribution, we hope to spark passion, build confidence, and encourage these young children to pursue their football dreams with pride and purpose. "Seeing their faces light up while receiving boots and gear used by United in their match against the Asean All-Stars truly moved us. "This is not just a donation. It is a statement that they belong, that they matter, and that they are part of the global football family," he said. The symbolic handover took place during a small dinner event in Kuala Lumpur, attended by representatives from the school and the match organisers. For the children of Lemoi, it was a surreal moment. They may not have been in the stadium that day, but now they owned something that was part of it. If one of them becomes an international star one day, the inspiring gift from the Red Devils may have something to do with it.
The Star
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Glorious day for SK Lemoi after receiving MU football gears, thanks to Shekhinah
Happy faces: SK Lemoi students posing after receiving the goods. PETALING JAYA: It was a glorious day for students at the Lemoi Primary School in in Cameron Highlands, Pahang after receiving unexpected 'windfall'. Public relations agency ShekhinahPR and Southeast Asia's leading football marketing consultancy, ProEvents donated exclusive Manchester United football gear from the recent Asean All-Stars match to the students. The contribution included official match-used equipment from the high-profile game held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium last month, now gifted to a rural school where football passion runs deep. They also received 15 brand new pairs of football boots to the school's players. The heartwarming initiative is aimed at fuelling dreams and building grassroots talent within the indigenous Orang Asli community. SK Lemoi, home to a spirited football team known as The Botaks, represents a remote community of Orang Asli students whose love for the game defies the odds of geography and limited resources. The symbolic handover took place during an intimate yet meaningful dinner event in Kuala Lumpur, celebrating unity, hope, and the universal language of football. Speaking on the initiative, Christopher Raj, chief executive officer of ShekhinahPR, expressed the agency's unwavering belief in the transformative power of sport. "We believe that sport has the power to change lives. Through this contribution, we hope to spark passion, build confidence, and encourage these young children to pursue their football dreams with pride and purpose. "Seeing their faces light up while receiving boots and gear used by Manchester United in their match against Asean All-Stars truly moved us. "This isn't just a donation – it's a statement that they belong, that they matter, and that they are part of the global football family." Christopher also reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to SK Lemoi, noting the agency's continued support over the years through sports kits and jerseys, the latest of which was contributed earlier in March.
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Khairy excited to play alongside Man Utd legend
KUALA LUMPUR: Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov, and ex-Chelsea captain John Terry will feature in the Zurich Liga 7x7 All Stars festival at KLFA Stadium on July 19. The tournament will feature four teams: Team Wizards, Team Bangsa Bola, Team Harimau and Team Zurich. Former sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also the manager of Team Wizards, relishes the opportunity to play alongside Giggs, the captain of their side. "My team is well balanced. We've got Kogileswaran Raj, Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Tengku Fahad Mua'adzam Shah, Hairul Azreen, and of course, me," said Khairy, who is a Man Utd fan. "But the X-factor in our team is Giggs. I mean, Terry has never been the same ever since he slipped during the penalty kick (in 2008 Champions League final against Man Utd), so he's going to slip all over again." Khairy quipped Giggs had personally requested to join his team after the latter's recent trip to Malaysia to promote the Man Utd vs Asean All-Stars match last month. "When Giggs was here recently, he asked me if he could be part of my team. I said okay, no problem. We were supposed to have Paul Scholes, but he couldn't come, so we managed to get Giggs instead," he said. Khairy couldn't resist taking a jibe at Team Bangsa Bola who are captained by Terry and managed by banker Tan Sri Nazir Razak. "Well, it's Terry and then, you know, it's Nazir. I mean, a banker doesn't know much about football, right?" he said. "Tan Sri Tony Fernandes' team (Harimau) will be competitive because he's a competitive person, having Safee Sali as the captain. "There's also Team Zurich led by Junior Cho, featuring Berbatov." Meanwhile Safee, whose Team Harimau feature Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Khyril Muhymeen, K. Gurusamy, and Adam Sinclair, said playing with legends like Terry and Giggs is a proud moment for local football. "To be part of something alongside Terry and Giggs is not ordinary, it's a benchmark for the next generation," he said.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Influx of fresh blood for Malaysia bane for Vietnam
KUALA LUMPUR: The Vietnam football squad know the significance of their next battle against a new-look Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifier and they are not leaving anything to chance. Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik is aware of the five new mixed-heritage players in the Harimau Malaya squad as they prepare for the match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here today. Sang-sik has called on his side to stay united, focused and acknowledged the hurdles in their path but insisted that with belief and hard work, they can make a difference. 'This is the most important and difficult game in our quest to advance to the Asian Cup,' said the South Korean during a pre-match press conference at the National Stadium yesterday. 'We want to play as a unit and aim for points.' Sang-sik admits that the Golden Dragons' preparations have been complicated by the influx of fresh blood for Malaysia. 'It makes it difficult for us. We do not have much information on some of these players, but we'll assess our squad and prepare based on our plan,' he said. 'Football is always difficult, whether we have the information or not. The results depend on us.' Despite the pressure of the occasion and the hostile atmosphere awaiting them in Bukit Jalil, Sang-sik was unfazed. 'I'm a positive person, so pressure is not what I think about. ''The aim is the effort on the field and yes, to continue our good run against Malaysia.' Sang-sik and some of his players also had their confidence boosted when they featured for the Asean All-Stars in the 1-0 win over Premier League giants Manchester United in a recent friendly.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Only a win will Do for veteran centreback Duy Manh
PETALING JAYA: Centreback and senior figure Do Duy Manh is ready to sizzle again at Malaysia's iconic Bukit Jalil Stadium. The 28-year-old will be one of Vietnam's solid star defenders when they face off with Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifier today. Duy Manh was at the same venue two weeks ago when the Asean All-Stars took on Manchester United in the Maybank Challenge Cup, which they eventually won. 'This is the most important game in this qualifying campaign,' said Duy Manh. 'It's an away game, so it will be difficult, but we have prepared well. We trust coach Kim (Sang-sik) and we'll follow his instructions.' Duy Manh has also played here during the 2018 AFF Cup final and knows what to expect from the team and fans. 'It's a big stadium, always full, and we know how the atmosphere will be. This is Malaysia's favourite ground. ''But for 90 minutes, we will remain focused and overcome the pressure.' With everything on the line, Vietnam are approaching the battle with caution, clarity and quiet confidence.
