By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 19: Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Art Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Kuching City FC’s historic qualification for the 2026/2027 Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) could potentially see global football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo playing in Kuching if the club is drawn against a Saudi Arabian side featuring the Portuguese icon.
Abdul Karim, who is also the Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, described the achievement as a major milestone not only for the club but also for Sarawak football, as it marks the first time a Sarawak football side has progressed beyond national-level competition into a major Asian tournament.
“I’m also very excited because this is the first time that a football team, whether it’s a State team or a club, is able to go beyond the national tournament.
“This is Asian level. Even though it might have been named the Asian Champions League, but it is still Asia. The teams that we will be facing will be the top teams in China, Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East,” he said during a press conference after delivering both his ministerial winding up speeches at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly’s Media Room today.
He added that the prospect of Kuching City FC facing elite Asian clubs could create extraordinary moments for local fans.
“Can you imagine if we are pitted against the club where Cristiano Ronaldo is playing? Then he will be coming over to Kuching to play. It’s something like that,” he said.
Abdul Karim praised the leadership and management of Kuching City FC for steering the club to unprecedented heights, noting that the team is also preparing for the Malaysia FA Cup final against Johor Darul Ta’zim F.C. on May 23.
“The last time we were in the final was way back in the 1990s. This is the second one. It is going to be a very tough match because they will compete with JDT. It’s not going to be easy,” he said.
Nevertheless, he stressed that qualifying for ACL2 alone was already a remarkable feat.
From a tourism standpoint, Abdul Karim said hosting Asian football matches in Kuching would generate massive promotional value for Sarawak.
“You will be seeing the teams, the supporters and the advertisement. A lot of people will be asking, ‘Where is this place, Kuching?’
“Millions are spent on promotions, but here through soccer, through football, we are already promoting Sarawak,” he said.
On stadium preparations, Abdul Karim acknowledged that the RM7 million allocation for upgrading Stadium Negeri would not be sufficient for the full facelift envisioned by the government.
He said major upgrading works would likely only commence after the SEA Games preparations are completed, as the stadium remains crucial for Kuching City FC’s fixtures.
“We need a stadium for Kuching FC to play. That’s why we do not want to touch it yet. But Stadium Negeri is very sentimental to soccer fans. We will make sure it becomes the pride of Sarawak and particularly Kuching,” he said.
He added that future plans include expanding the grandstand opposite the VIP section to create two VIP viewing areas once renovations begin after the SEA Games. — DayakDaily
