Football Association of Singapore
AFC | |
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Founded | 29 August 1892 |
Headquarters | 100 Tyrwhitt Rd, Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore 207542 |
FIFA affiliation | 1952 |
AFC affiliation | 1954 |
AFF affiliation | 1984 |
President | Bernard Tan (interim) |
General Secretary | See Long Lee |
Website | www |
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is the governing body responsible for the administration of football in Singapore. Established in 1892 as the Singapore Football Association (SFA), it is the oldest football association in all of Asia.[1][2] The FAS is also one of the founding members of both the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). It has been affiliated with FIFA since 1952.
The FAS oversees the organisation and development of football and advancing the game at all levels in Singapore, and is responsible for all aspects of the amateur and professional game in its territory. This includes its flagship domestic league, the Singapore Premier League (SPL), as well as the men's, women's and youth national football teams. The FAS is headquartered at the Jalan Besar Stadium, located at Kallang.
The FAS also manages the organisation and running of league and cup competitions, the stewardship of international teams, the establishment of youth development, women's football, refereeing and coaching frameworks.[3]
History
[edit]The association was also previously known as the Singapore Amateur Football Association (abbreviation: SAFA) on 14 May 1929 before adopting its current name on 13 January 1966.[4]
The FAS council was first appointed by the government in 1968, and has been controlled continually by government appointees for more than three decades from the 1980s to 2015.[5][6][7] From 2004 to 2015, its president had been an elected member of the ruling People's Action Party, and was appointed by the Minister for Sports.[8][9]
In 2015, FIFA requested an end to political appointments of the national body's council members.[9][10] FAS therefore changed its constitution in 2016 and held general elections for its council members starting from 2017.[8][9][11][12] In response, the FAS also stated that "We have always been in consultation with FIFA over the last 30 years. They are aware of the uniqueness of our situation, and have always given us special dispensation."[13]
As a result in the change of constitution, FAS, on the request of FIFA and its past presidents, held its first election for the FAS council.[9] The election was contested by two teams led by Lim Kia Tong, FAS provisional council president, and Bill Ng, chairman of Hougang United and NFL side, Tiong Bahru FC.[14][15] The election was held on 29 April 2017[16] and Lim won the elections.[17]
Youth Development Programmes
[edit]National Football Academy
[edit]The National Football Academy, commonly referred to as NFA, is a football academy launched by the FAS on 13 August 2000 with the aim of developing Singapore's most promising young footballers. Trainees are scouted through a systematic talent identification process before being given the chance to develop their skills under some of the best youth coaches in the country. With teams at every age level from U-14 to U-18, the NFA co-ordinates the development of young Singaporean footballers at a national level through the domestic league system, international youth tournaments as well as overseas training attachments.
The NFA Under-18 team is made up of promising Singaporean players under the age of 18 and serves as a feeder squad mainly to the Young Lions as well as other clubs in the Singapore Premier League. The FAS enters both the NFA Blues U-17 and NFA Reds U-18 teams in the Prime League, the official reserve league of the Singapore Premier League, to allow their players to gain more exposure and match experience by playing against older and more established players. The NFA U-15 and U-16 teams also participate in the annual Lion City Cup organised by the FAS since 2011.
The NFA has produced many graduates who went on to represent the Singapore national team.
The FAS focuses on football development and operates national age group programmes with U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-23 teams (known as Young Lions, who compete in the country's professional Singapore Premier League).[3]
All Singapore Premier League clubs have also fully implemented their own programmes for the Under-14s, adding on to the existing U-16s and U-18s program.[3]
Unleash The Roar!
[edit]On 9 March 2021, Singapore launched a national football project called Unleash the Roar!, in line with the goal set by the FAS to qualify for the 2034 FIFA World Cup which garnered both praise and criticism from the football fraternity that failed the Goal 2010 project that was first mooted in 1998. Since the start of the project, a total of 12 school football academies have been established, of which two have dedicated programmes for girls. Unleash the Roar! aims to rally Singaporeans, inspire the next generation to create a safe, disciplined and professional sporting ecosystem. This project will provide talented Singaporeans a shot at a professional career at the highest levels of the sport and raise the bar for Singapore’s national football teams. This vision of Unleash the Roar! is based on involvement of government agencies including the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), alongside SportSG, FAS, the football fraternity, corporate Singapore, and Singaporeans.
The project will spark a progression in Singapore’s football ecosystem with clear pathways. This includes increasing children and youth football participation in schools, scouting and development of talented players, enhancing knowledge and skill sets of coaches, and strengthening local professional football league. Players can also look forward to opportunities for training at top football academies as well as subsequently plying their trade at top leagues around the world.
In 2023, Singapore's top footballers aged 13 to 17 to form national youth squads will train at new national football development centre in Kallang.
On 6 February 2024, in a boost for large-scale talent development and identification, Singapore Youth League (SYL) was officially launched.[18] The league, an initiative under the Unleash the Roar!, is Singapore’s inaugural nation-wide elite youth football competition and is set to feature over 200 registered teams from 52 clubs and academies across various age groups.[19]
There will be six age-group categories – Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17 – under the new league system spanning across three divisions.[18]
Investments
[edit]During the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September 2016, it was revealed that organising expenses on grassroots competitions like the National Football League (NFL), Island Wide League (IWL) and FA Cup amounted to about $70,000 during the previous financial year from April 2015 to March 2016. This figure which represented a mere 0.2 per cent of the FAS' total annual budget of S$35.8 million sparked disapproval within the local football community with many perceiving it as FAS's lack of regard for grassroots football.[20]
In a press conference on 13 October 2016, FAS vice-president Bernard Tan clarified that the amount did not include prize money and participation fees contributed by the teams counted under the domestic league account.[21]
Funding
[edit]In early April 2017, Bill Ng, chairman of SPL club Hougang United and NFL club Tiong Bahru Football Club (TBFC), claimed that he had donated S$850,000 to the FAS with the intention of helping Singapore football, but that the money had gone to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) instead.[22] The allegations came in the prelude to the first open election of the FAS council.[23]
FAS secretary Winston Lee responded that Ng was aware of where the funds were used, that $200,000 went to the former LionsXII, while $500,000 was used to support the AFF's Football Management System.[24][25] Lee said that it was former FAS president Zainudin Nordin who asked Ng to donate to the AFF, while Ng disputed the claim.[26][27] FAS responded with a statement that Ng's allegations of financial impropriety within FAS to damage the credibility of the association was regrettable, and it was unusual that Ng had chosen to hide Zainudin's role in the transaction.[28]
On 20 April 2017, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) raided the FAS headquarters over alleged financial misuse of funds filed by Sport Singapore (formerly known as the Singapore Sports Council). Zainudin Nordin, Winston Lee, Bill Ng and his wife Bonnie Wong, were all arrested before being subsequently released on bail. The four assisted with the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) with the probe into the alleged misuse of funds and obstruction of club audits of TBFC.[29][30][31] In September 2021, the CAD in accordance with the Attorney-General announced that they had concluded their investigations and that the individuals involved will not face charges.[32]
Former presidents
[edit]- Soh Ghee Soon: 1957–1963[33]
- Hussein Kumari: 1963–1965[34]
- Abu Bakar Pawanchee: 1965–1967[35][36]
- Tay Soo Yong: 1967–1968
- Woon Wah Siang: 1968[37]
- Lenny Rodrigo: 1968–1971[38][39]
- NSPB / SSC: 1971–1974[nb 1]
- R.B.I. Pates: 1974–1976[40]
- N. Ganesan: 1976–1982[41]
- Teo Chong Tee: 1982–1988[42]
- Abbas Abu Amin: 1988–1991[43]
- Hsu Tse-Kwang: 1991–1994[44]
- Ibrahim Othman: 1994–1999[45]
- Mah Bow Tan: 1999–2004[46][47]
- Ho Peng Kee: 2004–2009[48][49]
- Zainudin Nordin: 2009–2016[50][51]
- Lim Kia Tong: 2017–2022[52][6]
- Bernard Tan: 2022–present (interim)
Council members
[edit]Name | Position | Source |
---|---|---|
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Deputy President | [53] |
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Vice President | [53] |
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Vice-President | [53] |
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Vice-President | [53] |
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Vice-President | [53] |
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Member | [53] |
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Member | [53] |
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Member | [53] |
![]() |
Member | [53] |
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Member | [53] |
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Member | [53] |
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Member | [53] |
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Member | [53] |
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Member | [53] |
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Member (co-opted) | [53] |
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General Secretary | [53] |
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Treasurer | [53] |
FAS Tournaments
[edit]- Singapore Premier League
- FAS National Football League (2 Divisions)
- FAS Island Wide League
- FAS Women's Premier League
- FAS Women's National League
FAS Affiliates 2023
[edit]Singapore Premier League Clubs
[edit]- Albirex Niigata (S)
- Balestier Khalsa
- DPMM FC
- Geylang International
- Lion City Sailors
- Hougang United
- Tampines Rovers
- Tanjong Pagar United
- Young Lions FC
FAS National Football League Clubs
[edit]- Academy Junior Football
- Admiralty CSC
- Admiralty FC
- Balestier United RC
- Bishan Barx
- Eunos Crescent
- GFA Sporting Westlake
- GFA Victoria
- Gymkhana FC
- Jungfrau Punggol
- Kaki Bukit SC
- Katong FC
- Kembangan United
- Police Sports Association
- SAFSA
- Siglap FC
- Singapore Cricket Club
- Singapore Khalsa Association
- South Avenue SC
- Starlight Soccerities
- Tiong Bahru FC
- Yishun Sentek Mariners
- Warwick Knights FC
Singapore M-League/M-Cup Team (The Lions)
[edit]Former national players
[edit]Notable Former National Players – Singapore National Football Team
- Eric Paine (1968–1978)
- Fandi Ahmad (1978–1982, 1993–1999)
- Au-Yeong Pak Kuan (1979–1985, 1988–1989)
- Kadir Yahya (1993–1999)
- Lim Tong Hai (1992–1994)
- David Lee (1978–1994)
- Zulkarnaen Zainal (1994)
- Mohd Rafi Ali (1993–94)
- Nazri Nasir (1988–1994)
- Malek Awab (1980–1987, 1993–1994)
- K. Kannan (1980–1988, 1992)
- Razali Saad (1988–1994)
- Jefri Rahmat (1988–1994)
- D. Tokijan (1985–1991)
- Borhan Abu Samah (1985–1991, 1993–1994)
- Syed Faruk (1988–1994)
- Steven Tan (1993–1994)
- Lee Man Hon (1994)
- V Selvaraj (1994)
- Terry Pathmanathan (1978–1992)
- Abdul Malek (1980–1993)
- Hasnim Haron
- Zulkifli Kartoyoho
- Azhar Yusope
- Quah Brothers
- Dollah Kassim
- V. Sundramoorthy
- Aide Iskandar
- Yahya Madon (1984–1994)
Notable Singapore referee
[edit]List of Singaporean referee that makes headlines overseas being involved in either FIFA or AFC tournaments:
- George Suppiah
- K. Visvanathan
- Shamsul Maidin
- Jeffrey Goh
- Abdul Malik Abdul Bashir
Singaporean players that joined Overseas club
[edit]List of Singaporean players that plays in overseas countries:
- Trials and transfer rumours doesn't count
- Players that play in LionsXII previously doesn't count
- Youth career doesn't count
- In bold mean is currently playing overseas
See also
[edit]- Singapore national football team
- Singapore Premier League
- Singapore Cup
- Singapore League Cup
- Singapore Community Shield
- Kallang Roar the Movie
Notes
[edit]- ^ The FAS was under the management of the National Sports Promotion Board and later, the Singapore Sports Council.
References
[edit]- ^ "Local Football of Singapore". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ Ng, Huiwen (29 August 2014). "Flashback Friday: Singapore Amateur Football Association founded on Aug 29, 1892". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Constitution of Football Association of Singapore" (PDF). fas.org.sg. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ^ "It's the F.A. of S'pore". The Straits Times. 14 January 1966. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "Rodrigo heads the new line-up". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Provisional council appointed to oversee FAS". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "FAS elections: 5 things you need to know". CNA. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Football: Football Association of Singapore leaders to be elected from 2016". The Straits Times. 1 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d Auto, Hermes (29 April 2017). "Football: Team LKT wins FAS election, Lim Kia Tong is new chief of Singapore football | The Straits Times". straitstimes.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Football: Fifa slams brakes on Singapore FA polls". The Business Times. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "The next FAS president?". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "FAS concedes to FIFA: No more political interference in football appointments". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "Football: Singapore accepts FIFA directive to elect office-bearers". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ Auto, Hermes (25 March 2017). "Football: Lim Kia Tong and Bill Ng submit teams of 15 for FAS election | The Straits Times". straitstimes.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ Auto, Hermes (27 April 2017). "Football: Bill Ng meets FAS affiliates ahead of election, first time media have spotted him since police raids | The Straits Times". straitstimes.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ "Lim rejects incumbent tag for FAS election". ESPN.com. 19 March 2017. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "FAS Elections: Lim Kia Tong is new president after 30–13 win over Bill Ng". TODAY. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ a b "FAS launches Singapore Youth League, nearly 3,800 kids expected to participate". The Straits Times. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Inaugural Singapore Youth League to kick off on 24 February with over 200 teams". FAS. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "FAS spending on grassroots competitions sparks outrage". Archived from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ^ "FAS says it spent S$250k on grassroots football". Archived from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ^ "FAS calls Hougang United chairman's claims about donations 'baseless and untrue'". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "FAS saga: Ball in Fifa's court". The Straits Times. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "FAS probe: A $500,000 Singapore football fiasco". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "I thought S$500k donation was for local football, says Ng in twist". todayonline.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "Football: Documents show that ties between Bill Ng and Zainudin Nordin go beyond sport". The Straits Times. 22 April 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "I have no business dealings with Bill Ng: Ex-FAS president Zainudin". todayonline.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "Bill Ng 'aware' that S$500,000 donation meant for AFF: FAS gen sec". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "FAS scandal: Four, including Bill Ng and Zainudin, arrested and out on police bail". www.todayonline.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "FAS saga: Bill Ng, wife, Zainudin Nordin and Winston Lee all out on police bail". The Straits Times. 25 April 2017. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "Will an election be a game changer for Singapore's Football Association?". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ Abdullah, Ahmad Zhaki (27 September 2021). "No charges against ex-FAS senior officials Zainudin Nordin, Winston Lee in funds misuse probe: AGC". CNA. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "This can be SAFA's make-or-mar year". The Straits Times. 1 March 1957. p. 14. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Teoh, Eng Tatt (21 March 1963). "Hussein president of new SAFA council". The Straits Times. p. 16. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Boey, Francis (21 September 1965). "Bakar is new Safa chief". The Straits Times. p. 17. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ "FAS chief resigns 'with regret'". The Straits Times. 21 September 1967. p. 17. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
- ^ "Woon is new FAS chief". The Straits Times. 27 March 1968. p. 19. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Dorai, Joe (5 July 1968). "Rodrigo heads the new line-up". The Straits Times. p. 20. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Dorai, Joe (19 June 1971). "Rodrigo: I've not failed as head of FAS". The Straits Times. p. 27. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Dorai, Joe (16 March 1974). "Pates will head new FAS Council". The Straits Times. p. 26. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ "Ganesan now chairman". The Straits Times. 1 April 1976. p. 39. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Dorai, Joe (1 April 1982). "Teo named new FAS chairman". The Straits Times. p. 39. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Dorai, Joe (19 March 1988). "Maj Abbas named FAS chairman". The Straits Times. p. 43. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ "Hsu Tse-Kwang is new football chief". The Straits Times. 25 March 1991. p. 1.
- ^ "New boss Ibrahim to look into youth development". The Straits Times. 31 March 1994. p. 31.
- ^ "Minister Mah is new FAS president". The Straits Times. 23 March 1999. p. 1.
- ^ "Mah Bow Tan steps down as football chief". The Straits Times. 29 March 2004. p. 4.
- ^ "Ho Peng Kee is new FAS chief". The Straits Times. 29 March 2004. p. 2.
- ^ Wang, Meng Meng (25 March 2009). "New man Zainudin wants to continue FAS' success". The Straits Times. p. 35.
- ^ "The next FAS president?". AsiaOne. The New Paper. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "SportSG concerned by delay by FAS in constitutional changes". ESPNFC.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "FAS election: Five things to know about new FAS president Lim Kia Tong". The Straits Times. 29 April 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Council & Committees". Football Association of Singapore. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Singapore at AFC site
- Singapore at FIFA website