WHEN the S-League was inaugurated in 1996, there was much fanfare and excitement. Neighbourhood stadiums had to increase their seating capacity in order to allow more fans to catch their favourite teams battling it out on the pitch.
The S-League was Singapore's answer to the then Malaysia Premier League and a move to restore our footballing pride.
This year marks the 20th season of the S-League.
Attendance at the games has been dwindling, and the situation has been made worse by the high quality of football offered by the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga, and the return of Singapore to the Malaysia Super League.
The S-League has also been plagued by negative news recently, such as the controversial age restriction rule and the revelation that some clubs offer only 11-month contracts to players ("Disillusioned ex-players haunted by lack of job security"; March 1).
Despite dismissing the entire national team in order to rebuild it in 2011, the results have been found wanting since.
Losses to a second string Thailand side and our arch-rivals Malaysia, and the recent draw with Guam, coupled with the elimination of our Under-22 side from the Asian Football Confederation U-23 qualifiers are confirmation that Singapore football is surely at its lowest point.
While the appointment of Michel Sablon as technical director is good news, there is much for the Football Association of Singapore leadership to ponder over on how local football got to its current state, and for it to take decisive and effective action to salvage the situation.
Otherwise, the fans might never return to the stadiums.
Hew Guo You
The S-League was Singapore's answer to the then Malaysia Premier League and a move to restore our footballing pride.
This year marks the 20th season of the S-League.
Attendance at the games has been dwindling, and the situation has been made worse by the high quality of football offered by the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga, and the return of Singapore to the Malaysia Super League.
The S-League has also been plagued by negative news recently, such as the controversial age restriction rule and the revelation that some clubs offer only 11-month contracts to players ("Disillusioned ex-players haunted by lack of job security"; March 1).
Despite dismissing the entire national team in order to rebuild it in 2011, the results have been found wanting since.
Losses to a second string Thailand side and our arch-rivals Malaysia, and the recent draw with Guam, coupled with the elimination of our Under-22 side from the Asian Football Confederation U-23 qualifiers are confirmation that Singapore football is surely at its lowest point.
While the appointment of Michel Sablon as technical director is good news, there is much for the Football Association of Singapore leadership to ponder over on how local football got to its current state, and for it to take decisive and effective action to salvage the situation.
Otherwise, the fans might never return to the stadiums.
Hew Guo You
