Melbourne Capital Group hosts Futsal Fundraiser for The Lost Food Project

On October 4th, X-Park Sunway South Quay came alive with the energy of KL’s futsal community as Melbourne Capital Group, in partnership with The Expats Club Malaysia, hosted the Melbourne Charity Shield. What began as an idea to connect businesses through futsal evolved into something far greater – a full-day celebration that brought together 16 teams of diverse skills, ages, and nationalities, all playing for a common cause.

A Tournament Born from Passion

For Kaz Nishad, Head of Business Development at Melbourne Capital Group, the tournament was the perfect blend of personal passion and professional purpose.  

"I've always been a huge fan of football, I play weekly with my friends and colleagues, it's always been fun for me," Kaz shared. "A few months ago when I had the idea about potentially hosting a Melbourne Capital Group futsal tournament, I knew it was something that I could be really passionate about and bring to life."

What started as a concept to help businesses connect on the pitch grew into an event that exceeded all expectations. "With the help and support of my colleagues at Melbourne Capital Group, we were able to create a tournament that was better than anything I had ever imagined, which makes me so proud," Kaz added.

The Day Unfolds

From registration at 9:30 AM to the final whistle around 4:00 PM, the tournament showcased a lot of competitive spirit amongst the teams. The format featured a dynamic structure that kept every team engaged throughout the day – 16 teams were divided into four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the Champions League knockout, while the bottom two entered the Europa League knockout bracket.  

Sid's Pub and Bottega Mediterranea kept players and spectators fuelled throughout the day, while the family-friendly atmosphere made it an event for the entire community to enjoy.

Bringing Together the Expat Community in Kuala Lumpur

For Joshua Webley, Founder of The Expats Club and Business Manager at Melbourne Capital Group, the event represented something deeply personal. "I've been hosting events now for around 2 years and football has always been a personal passion of mine. So combining the two was an incredible experience, and really eye-opening the work that goes in to hosting these kind of events," Joshua reflected.

"I always love when both of my worlds collide to create something so amazing, Melbourne Capital Group and The Expats Club," he continued. But Joshua was quick to emphasise what made the day truly special: "The first ever Melbourne Charity Shield was a huge success – not for The Expats Club or Melbourne Capital Futsal teams, but for the impact and size of the tournament."

Playing for Purpose

At the heart of the event was The Lost Food Project, a non-profit organisation dedicated to rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to those in need across Malaysia. Their mission – "feed the hungry, not the landfill" – resonated deeply with us and participants alike.

Joshua's connection to the cause runs deep. "I was introduced to this charity last year, and I fell in love with their story. So since that point I have run various events to help raise funds, to help the foundation feed more people around Malaysia."

The tournament's success translated into tangible impact: RM6,015 raised for The Lost Food Project; equivalent to over 24,000 meals that will directly support their work in reducing food waste and providing nutritious meals to communities across Malaysia.

The event's success was made possible through the generous support of key sponsors who believed in the vision:

• Sunway Medical Centre – providing essential paramedic services

• Sid's Pub

• Bottega Mediterranea

• Expatriate Group Insurance

• Organicule

• G.S. Gill – sponsoring prizes and futsal gear for teams

• Strike Jerseys

The overwhelming response from players, spectators, sponsors, and The Lost Food Project itself has confirmed what the organisers hoped – this is just the beginning. "This is 100% an event that will become annual," Joshua confirmed with a smile, "and the Expats Club players are already in training so we have a better chance of survival in 2026."

To learn more about The Lost Food Project and how you can get involved, visit www.thelostfoodproject.org