Youth and Sport Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek together with (left to right) ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohid Mohamed, FA of Malaysia general secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, FAM vice-president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and National Sport Council director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong holding the Match for Hope logo in Putrajaya yesterday.

By JOSEPH SIPALAN

PUTRAJAYA: The national team will play Palestine in a fundraising football match at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on March 26.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has called on Malaysians to show their support by turning out in full force to watch the international friendly – themed Voice of Malaysia, Match for Hope, which aims to raise funds for Tabung Wira Negara and the Palestinian struggle to uphold their sovereignty.

“We hope to raise RM1mil and the plan is to split the money 50-50 between the two funds,” he said at a press conference at his office here to announce the upcoming match.

Shabery said the match is significant as it is one way Malaysians can show solidarity for the nation’s security forces fighting off the Sulu invaders in Lahad Datu, and also the plight of the Palestinians who have faced Israeli oppression for decades.

“Not all of us can join our security forces in the front line. We need to gather the support of the rakyat, not only financially but in whatever way we can,” he said.

Shabery noted that aside from a show of support, football fans are promised a cracker of a match between the two countries.

“Malaysia’s world ranking is 159 while Palestine is higher at 153. We’re expecting a good match because we’re facing a better team,” he said.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 8.45pm and will be televised live. Tickets are priced at RM20 for adults and RM10 for children aged under 12 years. The VIP tickets are priced at RM150 each.

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