680 young footballers return to Kuching matches after haze pause
Around 680 young footballers resumed play in Kuching on Thursday as the PETRONAS Youth Football Closed Tournament (PYFCT) 2026 resumed following a postponement due to poor air quality.
Source: Dayak Daily · September 27, 2026 at 2:02 PM · AI-assisted report
Corroborated
KUCHING, SARAWAK, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Around 680 young footballers resumed play in Kuching on Thursday as the PETRONAS Youth Football Closed Tournament (PYFCT) 2026 resumed following a postponement due to poor air quality.
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The tournament, which involves 40 teams and 800 children across Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16 categories, saw full participation in the U-12 and U-14 divisions at Padang C, Padang D, and Kuching District Football Association grounds. Organisers reported 320 players (16 teams) in U-12 matches and 240 players (12 teams) in U-14 games. However, the U-16 category had six teams (120 players) complete their fixtures before rain forced rescheduling of the remaining six matches.
PYFCT organisers stated that while safety remains the top priority, the resumption of matches is essential for the personal development of young athletes. "PYFCT continues to support grassroots football development in Sarawak by nurturing young talent and promoting values such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship," they said in a statement.
The tournament structure varies by age group. The U-14 and U-16 divisions operate in a league format, with the top team in each category winning the tournament and securing a spot in the PETRONAS Youth Football Champions League in December. Meanwhile, the U-12 tournament follows a knockout structure, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the final.
This leg follows an earlier round in July, where 27 local teams competed in U-8 and U-10 groups, with Cascara Junior and Samarahan Academy winning their respective age categories. The full grassroots circuit spans three divisions—Kuching (July 25 to October 24), Bintulu (August 8 to November 8), and Mukah (September 27 to November 1)—culminating in the Champions League from December 6 to 13.
The tournament is part of PETRONAS's broader efforts to develop youth football in Sarawak, aligning with the national oil company's corporate social responsibility initiatives. PETRONAS has been actively involved in grassroots sports development across Malaysia, including football, badminton, and athletics, through its PETRONAS Sports Institute.
The resumption of matches in Kuching comes as the state continues to grapple with environmental challenges, including haze from regional forest fires. While the immediate impact on the tournament is limited to postponements, organisers have maintained a flexible approach to scheduling to ensure the safety of participants. The tournament's continuation reflects the resilience of grassroots sports initiatives in the face of environmental disruptions.
Related: PETRONAS