After making the pledge, on the sidelines, she further gave a shot in the arm to the RSC Junior Soccer Development programme who are the organsiers of the tournament, when she told organsing chairman, Datuk Gerald Rakish Kumar, the Ministry would support ringgit for ringgit for the cost of organsing the tournament.
“However, we have to submit an official application early and if approved have to supply receipts for all costs incurred,” Gerald said.
“This is a great event for grassroots, and I am happy to see girls too are competing. This is a boost for women's football,” said Hannah in her speech.
A total of 81 teams and 972 players from clubs and academies are competing in 5 age groups – Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16.
The two-day tournament has teams from Singapore, Brunei, Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam competing besides Malaysia.
Hannah also acknowledged the parents present and their support to allow their children to pursue their dreams in the game.
However, Hannah reminded parents to ensure that the clubs and academies they send their children to are registered to enjoy tax exemption for assessment.
In September in Kota Kinabalu, Hannah first announced that parents who send their children for sports training or undergo such activity themselves might qualify for personal tax relief starting next year.
She had said this could be among the ways to encourage parents to send their kids for training, which would, in turn, help with sports development in the country.
During Budget 2024 announcement, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, announced a tax exemption for lifestyle-related purchases of sports equipment and activities, limited to RM1,000.00, which also extends to expenses related to sports training.
This is something that can be taken advantage of by everyone as any coaching, training, or lessons qualify for the tax exemption.
“The aim of such a tax exemption is that it encourage parents to invest in sports for their children and in doing so will the boost the sports industry,” she said.
“To the parents present here today, I would like to thank you for investing time and money for your children, and I hope that this incentive will be beneficial to you,” she added.
The RSC Datuk Chu Ah Nge International Junior Soccer Tournament is a flagship event in the Royal Selangor Club's (RSC) annual sports calendar.
Initially launched in 2005 as an opportunity to provide a competitive environment for all age group teams in the Royal Selangor Club, the tournament has since grown rapidly to include teams from around the region. Through the benevolence of the club’s past-president, Datuk Chu Ah Nge, the inaugural tournament was a success among the participants, both players and coaches. Since we have annually organised this tournament.
This tournament has been acclaimed as one of the premier grassroots junior soccer tournaments in the region. It has been gaining popularity every year since its first edition and has continued to attract a large number of teams from well-known clubs and associations from around this part of the world.
The Datuk Chu Ah Nge Challenge Trophy is presented to the team that has the highest cumulative point score from all the five age-groups competed at the end of the tournament.
It was fun and a galore of carnival-like atmosphere in a competitive mood on the first day as teams battled to move to the next round tomorrow and eventually in search of honours today.
Another exciting day is in store today as the teams continue their battle for supremacy.
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