By THE IRRAWADDY
Eight of Burma's leading businessmen plan to form soccer clubs to compete in their own league, along with the possibility of hiring foreign coaches and players.
Each team will be formed for around 200 million kyat (US $204,080), according to a press conference held last week in Rangoon. The league is expected to begin play in 2010.
The businessmen include Te Za of Htoo Company; Sai Sam Htun of Loi Hein Company; Aung Ko Win of the Kanbawza Bank Ltd; Htun Myint Naing of Asia World; Htay Myint of Yuzana; Aung Moe Kyaw of International Beverages Trading Co; Chit Khaing of Edin; and Win Myint of Shwe Naga Min Trading Company.
Burma was 165th in Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rankings in 2008. Burmese football fans are avid followers of soccer, especially leagues in Western countries such as England, Spain and Italy.
Betting on soccer is a multimillion kyat business. Bookmakers in Rangoon suggested that the amount of money in betting will increase with the formation of the new league.
"But we have to wait and see how can those football clubs and its tournament attract the fans," said one observer.
In the 1960s and 70s, Burma dominated the Southeast Asia Games soccer competition, winning the tournament an unprecedented five times. Burma also won the Asian Games title twice—in 1966 and 1970—and four Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (SEAP) titles.
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