Kampung Buangkok futsal team is set to make history as the first Singaporean futsal team to compete in an overseas league.
The team will compete in the Brunei Futsal League 2024, which is expected to kick off in August 2024 and runs till February 2025.
Final details of the fixtures is still pending from Brunei.
This will be a first for Singapore as they will be the first futsal team to play in a foreign league.
Their participation was given the due blessings by both the Football Association of Singapore and the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam.
Their participation will be completely self-funded and is expected to cost the team approximately SGD$90,000 for the whole season.
With the team being self-funded, the coaches and players will be chipping in for their travel arrangements.
As such, the team has arranged a cost-effective travel plan for their upcoming participation in the Brunei Futsal League.
The players will be taking the flight from Singapore directly, while the coaches, who are mostly from Johor will be travelling from Senai airport, with both parties regrouping in Brunei.
Kenneth Kwang Wai Kit, goalkeeper and spokesperson of Kampung Buangkok expressed his excitement about competing in the Brunei Futsal League, “Our journey from a small, local team to competing on an international stage is a testament to our passion and dedication to the sport.
“We are excited and honoured to be the first Singaporean team to compete both in the Brunei Futsal League and an overseas league.”
Established in 2020 by a close-knit group of friends, the team had regular meetings to play 5-a-side football on an artificial turf pitch located within the neighbourhood of Kampung Buangkok.
With the majority of its founding members residing within the vicinity, it inspired them to name the team after the beloved venue they frequented.
The team comprises individuals from various walks of life, bringing together a diverse mix of talents and backgrounds.
These players include Firefighters, Full-Time Grab riders, a Police Officer, an Auxiliary Police Officers, a Starbucks Store Manager and an Engineer.
Leading the team is Head Coach, Ahmad Hanif bin Sarmin (Jojo), and his coaching staff from Johor Bahru, where his team previously played for the Malaysian futsal team Kuantan Rangers, now Pahang Rangers, who were the first foreign futsal team to win the Brunei Futsal League back in 2017 during their debut season.
AMBITIONS FOR FIRST YEAR
The team currently aims for a top-three finish in the standings in their maiden season, however, the team believes that bringing the trophy home at the end of the season is also within reach.
The team hopes that through these achievements and participation in the Brunei Futsal League, they would draw attention within their local community, resulting in more interested parties playing futsal in the long run.
As they embark on this historic journey, the team aims not only to succeed on the international stage but also to foster a deeper appreciation for the sport while elevating the profile of futsal back in Singapore.
“Playing in the Brunei Futsal League is not just about the competition for us,” added Kwang.
“It’s about showcasing the potential of futsal in Singapore and inspiring others to take up the sport.
“We hope our journey will motivate many to explore and engage in futsal,” he said.
PHOTOS: KAMPUNG BUANGKOK
SW STRATEGIES IS THE APPOINTED PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY SUPPORTING KAMPUNG BUANGKOK
