Ko Ye Mon
19 years old
University student

“I’ve watched most of the MNL matches on MRTV but this game (Zayar Shwe Myay vs Yadanarbon) is the first live match I’ve seen.

“In this tournament, all clubs have to compete in Yangon. But I think the ‘home and away’ system will be better for the fans, especially those in other states and divisions because they will be able to see their teams play.

“The [MNL] matches are more competitive than the [Myanmar League] and the players seem to be trying harder. I’ve read some of the football players saying in local journals that they believe they can get a higher salary if they try hard. I don’t want them to play with only their salary in mind – they should be aiming to improve so Myanmar can take part in the World Cup.”

Daw Ni Ni Aung
40 years old
Middle school teacher

“As a physical education teacher, I am interested in all sports but football more than others. I have come to Yangon from Taungoo to attend a training course at the Kyaikkasan Sports Academy. When I am free from training, I come and watch the MNL matches at Thuwanna stadium.

“The opening ceremony of the MNL Cup was great, the best start to a local football tournament I’ve ever seen and I think helped to win over the fans. On that day we couldn’t get any seats because the crowd was so large but I was still happy.

“I think the players’ style has changed and they are now stronger when attacking. If they try hard to improve and the clubs’ backers continue to support the competition, I think the Myanmar National League will be a success.”

Ko Aung Min Lwin
22 years old
Owner of Gaday Kywe tea shop

“In my tea shop, the live Premier League matches that feature the big teams like Manchester United are always shown for the customers. But, for the MNL Cup, we try to show every match. Even when the electricity goes off, we use the generator to keep the television going.

“During the opening match of the competition, between Yangon United and Zayar Shwe Myay, my teashop was completely packed. But in the matches since then the number of customers is about normal. I still think the fans are more interested in the MNL than the old Myanmar League, which had mainly ministry teams with a few private clubs. This is mainly thanks to the promotion from the local journals and also the participation of foreign players, I think.

Ko Lin Htun
25 years old
Journal seller

“In the past, demand for sport journals has depended on the Premier League matches. Now the [2008-2009] Premier League season has just finished but we still have the same demand because readers want to know about the MNL and they always wait for the sport journals that include stories about it. The readers prefer the journals that write the actual situation of the matches.

“My opinion on the MNL Cup is that the organisers should be careful to control the large crowd of fans. In the match between Magway and Yangon United, the Yangon fans were a little bit rude. In Myanmar, if we want to say we are holding a professional football tournament the fans should encourage their side a bit more politely."