LOCAL company IBTC is reviewing its sponsorship of the Grand Royal Challenge Cup and the competition may not go ahead in 2009, according to IBTC managing director U Aung Moe Kyaw.

He said the launch of the Myanmar National League Cup, which will conclude on July 5, had made it more difficult to schedule an international tournament this year.

“I’m worried that if we hold the Grand Royal Challenge Cup now, just after the MNL Cup, that it will be a distraction for the players. So we will need to decide what is best for Myanmar football, whether we should hold this tournament or not,” U Aung Moe Kyaw told reporters at a press conference on June 14.

“After the Myanmar National League Cup Grand Royal finishes, there are other international football competitions later this year for Myanmar players to compete in,” he said.

He said the company supported the Grand Royal Challenge Cup in the past because there were no other international football tournaments held in Myanmar. With the launch of the MNL Cup, which features foreign coaches and players, it might not be necessary to hold the Grand Royal Challenge Cup, he said.

“If we do hold the tournament this year, we will avoid inviting the same teams we have had in the past. I will look to invite better teams, such as those from east Asian countries,” U Aung Moe Kyaw said.

The tournament has been held annually since 2005 except in 2007. Myanmar has won the tournament each time, beating Indonesia 2-1 in the 2008 final at Thuwanna Stadium.