KUCHING: Sarawak will be hosting the AFC Solidarity Cup, an inaugural international football tournament, next month for seven footballing nations.
Organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from Nov 2 to 15, the tournament sees countries like Brunei, Timor Leste, Laos, Macau, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Mongolia compete against each other for top honours.
According to Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Kuching was selected as host because the city has two international-class stadiums - the Stadium Negeri and Stadium Sarawak.
Matches will be played in the two stadiums and Stadium Sarawak will be used as venue for the final match of the tournament.
Apart from that, Kuching also has a strong football following among its populace, a strong factor why the city was chosen as host.
"Sarawakians should be proud for the recognition by the Asian body (AFC).
"I hope Sarawakians would continue to be passionate about football," he added during a press conference held at the Baitulmakmur Building yesterday.
