NFABD vice-president Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar giving his speech. BT/Ak
(L-R) DST CEO Suhaimi Hj Husin, DST Board of Directors member Abdul Latif Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Md Yusuf, Deputy Minister of Finance and the chairman of DST's Board of Directors Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin Abdullah, NFABD Vice President Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar and NFABD General Secretary Mohd Noor Hj Abdullah during yesterday's sponsorship signing ceremony at DST's headquarters in Tungku Link. BT/Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
DST's unyielding support towards the promotion and development of football in the country continued yesterday with the sponsorship of various National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) tournaments.
(L-R) DST CEO Suhaimi Hj Husin, DST Board of Directors member Abdul Latif Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Md Yusuf, Deputy Minister of Finance and the chairman of DST's Board of Directors Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin Abdullah, NFABD Vice President Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar and NFABD General Secretary Mohd Noor Hj Abdullah during yesterday's sponsorship signing ceremony at DST's headquarters in Tungku Link.BT/Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
Telecoms service provider DST chose not to reveal the amount they are sponsoring NFABD or whether it was for prize money or to cover the cost of organising the leagues.
The 2014 DST Super League is slated to kick off on Sunday with the Sumbangsih Cup clash between Indera Sports Club (SC) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
NFABD have yet to announce the dates for DST Premiere League and DST FA Cup.
Witnessing the signing ceremony as guest of honour was the Deputy Minister of Finance Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of DST.
Signing the agreement on behalf of NFABD was NFABD vice-president Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar while Abdul Latif Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Md Yusuf, a member of DST's Board of Directors, signed on behalf of DST.
"I would like to express our deep appreciation and thanks to DST for their generous and significant sponsorship as well as the continuous and relentless support in promoting football in the country," said Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof in his speech.
"This significant sponsorship from DST enables NFABD to organise more matches this year in line with FIFA's advice, and this definitely will improve the standard and quality of our football players.
"At the same time, it will help us to identify and select potential players for the national team.
"Because of the sponsorship, NFABD has also managed to raise the prize money for the champions and the runners-up - and this will certainly give more encouragement and aspiration to football teams to strive to be better and competitive," continued the vice-president.
The prize money for this year's competition is yet to be revealed by NFABD.
However, champions Indera won a challenge trophy, championship trophy and a cash prize of $10,000 for winning the DST Super League last March.
Second placed MS ABDB walked away with a trophy and a cash prize of $7000.
After leaving eager local football fans in the dark in regards to the DST Super League's start, NFABD yesterday said it hopes to organise the national leagues in January from now on.
"I am pleased to announce that NFABD has arranged for the first match of the 2014 season to kick off on Sunday with the Sumbangsih Cup, and we are also hoping that for many years to come the football season will always begin in January," said Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof.
"We are hoping that the public will come and watch to support their team," he added.
Speaking on behalf of DST, its CEO Suhaimi Hj Husin said that DST is pleased to be given the privilege to be the title sponsor for the league again this season.
"NFABD have provided DST with the platform to support them in their effort to organise the most important and primary football leagues in the country," said Suhaimi.
"The desired objective of this partnership will enable NFABD (to) nurture quality football talent in the country, which will act as a talent pool for the creation of the national football team," he added.
DST have also sponsored Veteran Football Association (VFA) tournaments in the past.
This season's DST Super League will see 10 teams, MS ABDB, Indera SC, Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB), QAF FC, Majra United, Kilanas FC, Jerudong FC, Wijaya FC, Najip FC and Liang Lumut Recreational Club (LLRC) FC fighting for top honours.
