Sabah in talks of partnership with Burnley

Neil Hart, Chief Executive Officer of the English Premier League side, was spotted attending SK Api Api Football Carnival in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, yesterday alongside the Rhinos' deputy president II Lawrence Gimbang and vice president Joehari Ayub.

However, despite the presence of the Burnley delegate alluding to an impending partnership, Joehari insisted Hart was in Kota Kinabalu mainly to show his support for the football carnival.

"We have been discussing with Burnley [of a potential partnership], but nothing is set in stone yet," he told Stadium Astro.

"If anything is formalised, we will inform you."

During the carnival, Lawrence announced Sabah's plan to build a football academy, which will be based at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex and sponsored by Petronas.

"The football academy will be part of our efforts to improve football development programmes in this state," he said.