I refer to the report “Strategic review to boost S-League” (Feb 12) and agree that we must be realistic about fan attendance. But we should not be deterred by Singapore’s small population in furthering our football development.
The reduction in the number of local S-League clubs, from eight to six, may be inevitable, as clubs are overstretched.
With many special constraints such as National Service, parents’ high expectations for their children’s education and our small population, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) must act local and think global, especially if it has limited funds.
One way is to use the funding for a hybrid league of professional and semi-professional local teams instead.
This would create more opportunities for passionate local players and encourage more parents to let their children play football since the S-League would have semi-professional teams.
The National Football League’s standards would then be closer to that of the semi-professional S-League clubs, allowing for promotion and relegation without affecting the top professional teams. The objective would be to build a league ecosystem for the people of Singapore.
Polytechnic scholarships such as that for a sports diploma could be offered in both professional and semi-professional clubs to assure parents that their children’s choices are not bleak.
From 1988 to 1995, the FAS ran the semi-professional Premier League, which fitted our culture best. In 1993, Singapore achieved its highest FIFA ranking of 73. Now, we are 156th.
New Zealand, which has a higher FIFA ranking than Singapore, is a good example as most of the clubs are semi-professional.
Its top semi-professional team, Auckland City FC, even won third place in last year’s FIFA Club World Cup with players who work full-time as a driver and a lawyer, for example. This was the passion we used to have.
Development of youth football is important, but if our S-League does not create enough opportunities for locals and a decent salary for professionals, how many youngsters would see a future in football?
To pay our top players better in the professional teams, the FAS could reduce these clubs’ quota of foreign players. Looking at the response to the First XI series, there are foreigners here who are keen to play football despite their full-time jobs. The semi-professional teams would be an avenue for all in Singapore.
The reduction in the number of local S-League clubs, from eight to six, may be inevitable, as clubs are overstretched.
With many special constraints such as National Service, parents’ high expectations for their children’s education and our small population, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) must act local and think global, especially if it has limited funds.
One way is to use the funding for a hybrid league of professional and semi-professional local teams instead.
This would create more opportunities for passionate local players and encourage more parents to let their children play football since the S-League would have semi-professional teams.
The National Football League’s standards would then be closer to that of the semi-professional S-League clubs, allowing for promotion and relegation without affecting the top professional teams. The objective would be to build a league ecosystem for the people of Singapore.
Polytechnic scholarships such as that for a sports diploma could be offered in both professional and semi-professional clubs to assure parents that their children’s choices are not bleak.
From 1988 to 1995, the FAS ran the semi-professional Premier League, which fitted our culture best. In 1993, Singapore achieved its highest FIFA ranking of 73. Now, we are 156th.
New Zealand, which has a higher FIFA ranking than Singapore, is a good example as most of the clubs are semi-professional.
Its top semi-professional team, Auckland City FC, even won third place in last year’s FIFA Club World Cup with players who work full-time as a driver and a lawyer, for example. This was the passion we used to have.
Development of youth football is important, but if our S-League does not create enough opportunities for locals and a decent salary for professionals, how many youngsters would see a future in football?
To pay our top players better in the professional teams, the FAS could reduce these clubs’ quota of foreign players. Looking at the response to the First XI series, there are foreigners here who are keen to play football despite their full-time jobs. The semi-professional teams would be an avenue for all in Singapore.
