World Youth Football Championship to IX

In 1993, Malaysia had the honor of organizing the World Youth Championship IX - Cup FIFA / Coca-Cola in 1997 (under 20 years) by world soccer's governing body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) . Based out of ideas and initiatives Dr. Joao Havelange, the FIFA President and with the help of The Coca-Cola Company, the tournament was first introduced in 1977 in Tunisia with the main objective of promoting world-class friendly match among youth. Since then, it has been conducted every two years. Now, as the tournament's largest and most important in the calendar after the FIFA World Cup, FIFA World Youth Championships Cup / Coca-Cola MALAYSIA 1997 will collect a total of more than 2,000 players and officials from around the world starting from June 16, 1997 until July 5, 1997.

Starting with only 16 teams selected to compete from around the world since its inception 20 years ago, for the first time this year (1997) Malaysia has been entrusted to host the 24 teams competing . Among the countries that were selected are from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, England, France, Ghana, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, Ivory Coast, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Paraguay, UAE, Uruguay, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Spain, the United States and defending champion Argentina.

Six match points have been selected by FIFA which is in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Alor Setar, Kuantan, Kangar and Johor Bahru. A total of 52 matches have been scheduled throughout the 20 day tournament. Football is the most popular sports in Malaysia, the fans and supporters from around the world will have the opportunity to watch the game between the competing countries via live broadcast during the tournament.

30 cents 
smiling, son of the tiger is the official mascot of the World Youth Football Championship to IX appeared in diplomacy raised thumb for popular competitions.

50 cent
part of the soccer tournament action against a background of flags Malaysia shows that Malaysia as the World Youth Football Championship to IX.

RM 1
This design shows the different places of the World Youth Football Championship in the Ninth Malaysia Kuala Lumpur which is the capital.


TECHNICAL DETAILS

Date of Issue : 16/06/1997
Denominated : 30 sen, 50 sen, RM1
Size of Stamp (30 cents & 50 cents) : 30mm x 39.75mm
Stamp size (RM1) : 30mm x 40mm
Perforations (30 cents & 50 cents) : 13:25
Perforations (RM1) : 13
Paper (30 cents & 50 cents) : No Watermark, Coated Phosphor
Paper (RM1) : Watermark SPM, Phosphor Coated
Printing Process : Lithography
Printer (30 cents & 50 cents) : Harrison & Sons Ltd.. England
Printers (RM1) : Security Printers (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Stamp Designers : The Sharper Image Sdn. Bhd.
First Day Envelope : 20 cents

The Kuala Lumpur 98 Games

The Kuala Lumpur 98 – XVI Commonwealth Games, from 11 to 21 September 1998, will see a total of 15 games. Since 1994 Pos Malaysia has portrayed these games in ‘Wira’ (games mascot) stances in the ‘gutter’ of each pre-issue.

The first pre-issue – XVI Commonwealth Games stamps in 1994 saw four new team events – cricket, hockey, netball and rugby. The stamps portrayed the map of Malaysia against the globe with the Sukom logo and ‘Wira’ – the official mascot.

The second pre-issue release in 1995 featured three game poses – athletics, boxing and badminton. The stamps incorporated seven sporting events against a dynamic Kuala Lumpur skyline while the other stamp showed seven other sporting events against a montage of the modern facilities available in Kuala Lumpur.

In 1996, the pre-issue concentrated on four individual events – weightlifting, gymnastics, shooting and cycling. The stamps portrayed four track and field events – track, hurdles, high jump and javelin.

The 1997 pre-issue culminates with the fourth and last pre-issue stamps for the XVI Commonwealth Games.

The four stamp designs for 1997 depict team sports – hockey, netball, cricket and rugby. The designs are artistically rendered in contrasting colours while highlighting the challenges and intensity of each team sport. At the same time they depict the team spirit of the Commonwealth countries. The ‘gutter’ depicts the ‘Wira’ mascot in four games poses – lawn bowls, squash, tenpin bowling and swimming.

The countdown is on – 300 days to the biggest sporting extravaganza in Malaysia – The Kuala Lumpur 98 Games.