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  • Grassroots Football Leagues In Spotlight After Brawl

    Grassroots Football Leagues In Spotlight After Brawl

    No security personnel, no medical support and no insurance coverage for the players. It sounds like a scene from a regular weekend social football game, but these are the same conditions that the clubs from the National Football League (NFL) and Island Wide League (IWL) – regarded as Singapore football’s second and third division respectively – have had to play their matches in.

    TODAY understands that some of the other common issues the clubs have encountered include double booking of football fields, match officials arriving late, and even match commissioners failing to turn up for a game.

    These issues paint a bleak picture of what the NFL and IWL clubs have had to go through over the last few years.

    But the management of the two leagues have come under the spotlight following last Saturday’s (Oct 1) brawl between the players of Balestier United Recreation Club (BURC) and the Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association (SAFSA) during a FA Cup match.

    A police report was lodged over the incident, and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is investigating the matter.

    This comes on the back of revelations at the FAS’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week that only about S$70,000 – which represents 0.2 per cent of their total annual budget of S$35.8 million – had been spent on the NFL, IWL and grassroots competitions.

    A look through FAS’s financial records for the past seven years revealed that their funding for grassroots football has dropped steadily from almost S$100,000 in 2009 to just S$70,000 this year.

    In contrast, the FAS allocated more than S$1 million to develop women’s football and S$4 million for the defunct LionsXII’s Malaysian Super League campaign.

    Several NFL club representatives that TODAY spoke to revealed the leagues have being poorly managed over the last few years.

    “There is usually no security or stadium stewards at our games, and so situations such as what happened on Saturday can arise,” said GFA Sporting Westlake FC team manager Mohamad Abdul Latiff. “It’s very difficult to manage such situations if the organisers don’t take control. It’s not uncommon to hear of fights happening on the pitch during games, although it usually isn’t as serious as what happened on Saturday.

    “We’ve also seen situations before when the referee is being harassed by players after a match and he could only leave the field after calling the police in.

    “But that’s not all. There are also many instances where the field is double booked. This year alone, my team has had to face seven game cancellations at the last minute, which costs us time and money.

    “Of course, this will not happen if the FAS can ensure that the leagues are better run and organised.”

    Agreeing, Siglap FC team manager Alim Omar added: “FAS staff are seldom seen in any NFL matches. All match inspectors are also volunteers, and it’s very rare that you can see a referee assessor in the lower leagues. But if FAS spends so little on the league, it’s not surprising that this is what you get.”

    One of the biggest bugbears that the NFL and IWL clubs have is the absence of professional medical coverage, although each team is required to bring their own first-aid trained personnel for every match.

    “There’s never been any medical coverage, and if any bad incidents happen, only then will an ambulance be activated,” said former national goalkeeper Yakob Hashim, who is now coach of Yishun Sentek Mariners. “The players are also not covered by insurance so, if they get injured, they will have to pay the medical bills themselves. This can discourage players from taking part.”

    Another NFL coach, who requested not to be named, believes that while medical coverage is essential, it is not necessary for the FAS to hire security for the games.

    “The basic thing needed is medical support,” he said. “But I don’t think we need a security detail and we shouldn’t waste resources on it.”

    Referring to the brawl on Saturday, the coach added: “At the end of the day, this boils down to the club and how officials educate and manage their players.

    “There were less than 100 people at the game, why should there be security for that? So it’s the clubs’ duty to ensure their players behave professionally.”

    FAS’S SPENDING ON GRASSROOTS COMPETITIONS

    (National Football League, Island Wide League, Singapore 9s)

    2009 – S$99,207

    2010 – S$94,321

    2011/2012 – S$90,587

    2012/2013 – S$89,174

    2013/2014 – S$85,842

    2014/2015 – S$79,793

    2015/2016 – S$70,701

    * Figures from FAS Annual Report

    * Amount derived from FAS expenses minus clubs’ entry fees

     

    Source: TODAY Online

  • Zainudin Nordin Has Better Chance Of Joining FIFA Council

    Zainudin Nordin Has Better Chance Of Joining FIFA Council

    The path into the Fifa Council may have just become easier for Zainudin Nordin.

    The outgoing president of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has made known his desire to run for a spot in Fifa’s top decision making body, and was slated to challenge three other men from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) – Chinese Football Association general secretary Zhang Jian, former Iranian Football Federation president Ali Kafashian Naeni and Qatar Football Association (QFA) vice-president Saoud Al-Mohannadi – for two positions.

    With less than two weeks before the AFC Congress on Sept 27 in Goa, there has been no official word from Fifa on its next course of action over Al-Mohannadi.

    This comes after its Ethics Committee recommended that Al-Mohannadi be banned for at least two years and six months for a failure to properly cooperate and provide truthful information to the investigatory chamber in the framework of an investigation unrelated to the awarding of the 2022 Fifa World Cup to Qatar.

    A Fifa spokesman told The New Paper that the organisation “can’t comment on potential scenarios”, but sources suggest that Al-Mohannadi could drop out of the race.

    With Zhang backed by the East Asian Football Federation, he is believed to be a shoo-in for one of the two spots, leaving Zainudin (inset) to battle it out with Kafashian for the remaining slot available on the Fifa Council.

    The FAS president told TNP that there will be no jet-setting around the continent to campaign, and he is not assuming anything with regard to Al-Mohannadi’s situation.

    “That is between the Fifa Ethics Committee and him, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter. I’m just focused on my candidacy and putting forward what I believe in, and can bring to the table,” he said.

    “I don’t have the kind of resources like some (other candidates in the past) do, and I campaign on my ability and the limited resources that I have.

    “I will write to all Member Associations of AFC to tell them who I am and what I stand for, and I will use the internet and social media to communicate how I can value add to the Council,”

    Zainudin’s candidacy will leverage Singapore’s transparent and clean reputation, focusing on ethics and governance. These are factors he believes are vital, as Fifa aims to close the chapter on the reign of its former president Sepp Blatter, who is now mired in corruption investigations.

    “The FAS has been, at least for the last three years, in the top three National Sports Associations in Singapore, based on Sport Singapore’s governance audits that look at systems, processes and transparency, and that’s something I’m proud of,” said Zainudin, who will step down as president when the association conducts its first election, which is targeted to be held before the end of 2016.

    “Systems and processes are very important for any organisation because that allow its leader to function freely and look at the important bigger picture.

    “Singapore is known for its systems and processes, and that is one of the key reasons why we are clean. It may be tedious to implement, but it’s a vital step.”

    Zainudin is part of the AFC’s Governance Reform Task Force that has already implemented recommendations of a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.

    “We’ve already installed similar processes in the AFC, system that govern procurement, finance, appointments, ethics, appeals, and even whistle blowing. It is something that we should be proud of,” he said.

    “Asean is a part of Asia, and it can be a leader in new things, like the Asean Super League (ASL), something that Asean and even the world can look forward to,” said Zainudin who spearheads the Asean Football Federation committee driving the ASL project.

    Zainudin will reveal his manifesto in the week ahead.

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • WANTED: New Chief To Shake Up Singapore Football

    WANTED: New Chief To Shake Up Singapore Football

    IS THERE such a man? If there is, will he step forward?

    Singapore football is sick. It has been for far too long. It has come to a point that with the elections for a new Football Association of Singapore president and council looming, there is a numbing fear nothing much will change. Meaning, it will be status quo.

    Not to sully the standing of the serving president and council members, but they’ve done what they could and it’s time to bid them on their way. Stay away from the elections.

    And this goodbye must be extended to advisers who have overstayed their welcome that memory forgets from when.

    When a new president and his team are picked, their first job must be to overhaul the management of Singapore football from top down. They need to clean house and those associated with it. He … or perhaps, she … must not be easily swayed.

    But who can this person be?

    A veteran football administrator I met recently was foreboding with his answer: We lack talent. By a long shot we have one person, but it is wishful thinking.

    And this is the sorry state of Singapore football. It has been run like a Soviet KGB secret service outfit for so long that only few know what is going on within its inner sanctum and are afraid to speak up.

    Those who can shake things up at Jalan Besar are sick to their stomachs with the sport that they want to stay away from it as far as they can.

    A few well-meaning people are putting teams together in a bid to stand for elections. They are passionate, and want Singapore football to succeed and bring fans back. But they are potentially a disaster in the making.

    You can’t run Singapore football on passion alone. That’s like trying to drive a car only on petrol fumes. It grounds to a halt immediately.

    Every passionate Singapore football fan has an idea on how to go about fixing the local game. Ideas are dime a dozen.

    Passion must come with an acute technical knowledge of the game. What drives it. What fuels it. What funds it. What motivates players. And at the end of it all, what excites fans to want to back it.

    And you must have the dare to act on them.

    The sitting football management has done some good things for Singapore football. Let’s not deny this. Bringing in Michel Sablon to chart a new course to return it to health was one of them.

    But overall, the current FAS lot has lost the plot. The empty stands say so.

    Is there a man, or woman, who dare turn Singapore football on its head and shake it up? You need some arrogance to get this done. The game really needs it.

    If you tick the boxes, stand up for the FAS presidential elections.

     

    Source: http://iandecotta.com

  • Time’s Up For Jalan Besar’s King George’s Stand

    Time’s Up For Jalan Besar’s King George’s Stand

    After scoring the LionsXII’s first-ever goal in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) in 2012 against Kelantan, defender Baihakki Khaizan hurdled over the advertising boards and celebrated with the home fans in a packed King George’s Stand behind the goal atthe Jalan Besar Stadium.

    It was a memorable moment cherished by the Singapore international and everyone in the local football fraternity.

    Football celebrations in the King George’s Stand will be no more, though, after the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed yesterday that the 1,500-capacity facility, which had cost sponsors Kingsmen more than $250,000 to build, will be dismantled in November.

    This will reduce the stadium’s capacity from 8,000 to 6,500.

    Speaking to The New Paper yesterday, FAS deputy director of development and planning Benjamin Tan said: “We appreciate the understanding and approvals of the relevant authorities in granting extensions for the continued use of the King George’s Stand at Jalan Besar Stadium over the past three years.

    “We are also thankful to our partners, including Kingsmen and Sport Singapore, for their support towards our continuous efforts in bringing more fans together.

    INCREASE

    “With an approximate capacity of 1,500, the King George’s Stand enabled us to increase the seating capacity of the stadium, which in turn allowed more fans to turn up and support our teams in action over the past few years.

    “The final extension for the use of the temporary seating structures expired on Aug 29, and the dismantling and reinstatement works will commence in November.

    “We will continue to work with our stakeholders and partners and explore various ways of enhancing match-day and viewing experience for our fans.”

    The last time the King George’s Stand was used in an MSL match was on Aug 8 against Pahang, when the LionsXII won 4-2.

    It has since been sealed off for the last few home games.

    While it has seen better days, such as capacity crowds in 2012 and 2013 when the LionsXII finished MSL runners-up and champions, respectively, attendances at the Jalan Besar Stadium have declined in recent years, with an average of 5,000.

    Even though the grandstand and gallery would be packed for certain games, the King George’s Stand was regularly a huge swathe of emptiness, although it did enjoy a turnaround during the SEA Games football tournament held here in June.

    While a Sport Singapore spokesman said that it is open to similar arrangements in the future, there are no current plans to further increase the capacity at Jalan Besar Stadium.

    “The final extension for the use of the temporary seating structures expired on Aug 29, and the dismantling and reinstatement works will commence in November.”

    – FAS deputy director of development and planning Benjamin Tan

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Quah Kim Song Opens Up About Girlfriend, Sylvia Lim

    Quah Kim Song Opens Up About Girlfriend, Sylvia Lim

    To many, it is an unusual relationship, astonishing even.

    He is a former footballer, and she, an opposition politician.

    He prefers privacy and she cannot avoid public scrutiny.

    Quah Kim Song, a widower, is a grandfather. Sylvia Lim has never been married.

    He is 63 and she, 50.

    Both are celebrities in their own right.

    His is a household name, famous for being fleet-footed and light on his feet.

    She draws thousands as a speaker at Workers’ Party (WP) election rallies. Her speeches draw roars of approval from supporters and ridicule from detractors.

    Defending her Aljunied GRC seat against the People’s Action Party (PAP), she is in the driver’s seat of her party’s political ambitions.

    And he is her personal chauffeur.

    Who would have expected them to be an item?

    He was a bright student at Naval Base Secondary School and Raffles Institution, but he devoted his energy to football after his A levels.

    The Manchester City fan held several corporate jobs before retiring early.

    Ms Lim – politician, lawyer and academic – had her early education at CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel, CHIJ St Joseph’s Convent and National Junior College.

    She graduated with a law degree and was called to the Bar in Singapore in 1991. She is a senior associate with Peter Low LLC.

    Ms Lim was not a sportswoman, but she enjoys watching sport.

    And Quah, from a famous footballing family, was once one of Singapore’s biggest stars.

    It has been more than two years since they met and, as Quah says: “We are very happy just going with the flow without any preconceptions about what the future might bring.”

    Ms Lim, the WP chairman since 2003, adds: “As both of us are not spring chickens, we accept each other totally and do not change the other.”

    Quah, who had to be persuaded to grant this interview, was put in the spotlight when Ms Lim, who has been extremely busy with the hustings, revealed at a rally that Quah “will act as her driver, ferrying her to rally sites and other places”.

    Quah says he enjoys doing that, adding: “When people see us, they do come up to say ‘hello’ or take pictures with us.

    “I must say that the police at the rallies have been quite nice to me.”

    Quah’s chauffeuring job is a way for them to see each other during the election campaign period, when Ms Lim is swamped with party matters.

    The affable Quah loves watching the rallies, but prefers to be low-profile, usually standing behind the stage but inside the barricades.

    FAS ISSUE

    The talk about town is that Quah encouraged Ms Lim to raise the issue of the Football Association of Singapore being run by PAP Members of Parliament, a move she said had stifled Singapore football.

    To that, Ms Lim replies: “No, he did not alert me. I have raised the issue of Singapore soccer slipping down the Fifa rankings in Parliament before I met Kim Song.

    “In the Workers’ Party manifesto in 2011 and earlier, we had already proposed that sports associations be led by persons from the fraternity (rather) than by politicians.”

    So what is it that attracts the star footballer, who speaks with a measured, soft tone, to the steely politician who is often known for making fiery speeches?

    The answer: Common interests in music and football.

    It was in January 2013 at a WP variety concert that love between the two blossomed.

    Mutual friends had coaxed Quah to sing and his rendition of Keith Locke & The Quests’ Don’t Play That Song impressed Miss Lim.

    Later, they danced on stage. A new romance was born.

    Quah, who loves the oldies and lists American icon James Taylor as his favourite singer, says: “I practise the guitar every day to familiarise myself with the chords to widen my repertoire.

    “I also have a guitar at Sylvia’s family home. We enjoy listening to live music and occasionally sing at home over some drinks.”

    These sessions help Ms Lim relax from the stress that comes with politics.

    She, too, enjoys the oldies and is a big fan of US singer-songwriter Carole King.

    As for their other passion, football, Ms Lim would make it a point to attend social matches when Quah is playing. He remains a drawcard among fanatical fans.

    Recently, at a social match at the Marina Floating Platform, Ms Lim made her presence felt by cheering for Quah’s team.

    Hers is not a new craze. She watched Quah during his heyday at the National Stadium, accompanying her brother Arthur to Malaysia Cup matches.

    So what is life like away from the heat of the hustings?

    “I am a retiree, so I have more freedom with my time. Sylvia is a busy person, so we occupy different time slots,” adds the grandfather of twins Renee and Ryan, three, from his daughter Leonora, 31.

    Quah, who was married to Madam Shirley Wang, a bank manager with OCBC, also has a son, Leon, 35, who is married but has no children. Madam Wang died of cancer in 2007.

    Quah adds that Ms Lim has a special relationship with his children and siblings and “she joins social gatherings involving my children, and my brothers and sisters”.

    When he was once asked how he feels about dating one of Singapore’s most prominent women politicians, Quah replied: “I know her as Sylvia Lim, and not Sylvia Lim, chairman of Workers’ Party.”

    For him, more importantly: “We are enjoying our time together and hope to be together for a long time.”

    But no, while they are a “couple”, marriage is far from their minds.

    In a newspaper interview recently, Ms Lim said: “People do ask us when we’re getting married. But we have discussed this and he’s already a grandfather.

    “We’re enjoying our relationship as it is now, so we have no plans to get married at this point.”

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg