The Future of Singapore Football: A Call for Vision and Investment
April 20, 2025, 4:28 pm
Singapore football stands at a crossroads. The upcoming election for the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president is not just a change in leadership; it’s a chance to redefine the sport in the nation. With two candidates vying for the position, the stakes are high. Forrest Li, a billionaire tech entrepreneur, and Darwin Jalil, vice-chairman of Balestier Khalsa, represent two distinct visions for the future.
As the football community buzzes with anticipation, it’s crucial to reflect on what Singapore football truly needs. The answer lies in three interconnected priorities: financial investment, a thriving professional league, and sustainable career paths for players.
Why does Singapore, one of the wealthiest nations in the region, struggle to match this investment? The answer is complex. Much of the funding for football comes from government sources, such as Sport Singapore and the Tote Board. While this funding is vital, it is not enough. Clubs rely heavily on these funds, which is not a sustainable model.
The next FAS leadership must focus on diversifying revenue streams. Look to Japan’s J.League as a model. It thrives on a mix of corporate sponsorships, broadcast revenues, and matchday income. Clubs operate like businesses, aiming for self-sustainability. In contrast, Singapore’s football clubs often depend on government grants, stifling their growth.
Singapore, however, lacks a similar blueprint. Short-term fixes, like bringing in foreign clubs or adjusting league numbers, have failed to create lasting change. The local league needs to evolve into a full-fledged professional entity. This means more competitive matches, better contracts, and clearer pathways for aspiring players.
Currently, many young talents see football as a hobby rather than a career. This perception must change. A robust professional league can help shift this mindset. It can provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and build their careers.
The challenge lies not just in pay but in stability. Players often lack job security and long-term prospects. Singapore must create a system where football careers are as structured and secure as those in other sectors. This means better salaries and strong development pathways.
In Japan, players typically know their professional futures by age 24. Those who don’t make the cut can transition into university football, which remains competitive. In Singapore, the pathways are murky. The small league and lack of funding hinder clubs from offering stable opportunities.
However, with bold leadership and a clear plan, there’s no reason our footballers cannot compete on the regional and global stage. It starts with vision, investment, and belief. The new leadership must prioritize funding, build a professional league, and create viable career paths for players.
The Lion City Sailors’ recent call to host the AFC Champions League Two final at Jalan Besar Stadium highlights the potential for local football to shine. Hosting such an event could uplift the local scene and reignite national pride. It’s a reminder that Singapore has the capacity to stage world-class football events.
As the FAS election approaches, the football community must rally behind a vision that embraces ambition and growth. The future of Singapore football depends on it. The time for change is now. Let’s build a legacy that future generations can be proud of.
As the football community buzzes with anticipation, it’s crucial to reflect on what Singapore football truly needs. The answer lies in three interconnected priorities: financial investment, a thriving professional league, and sustainable career paths for players.
Money Matters
At the heart of football is money. It fuels dreams, builds stadiums, and pays salaries. Yet, Singapore lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in football investment. Countries like Thailand and Vietnam have poured four to ten times more funding into their football ecosystems. Even smaller nations like Laos and Cambodia have managed to secure better financial backing through government support and corporate sponsorships.Why does Singapore, one of the wealthiest nations in the region, struggle to match this investment? The answer is complex. Much of the funding for football comes from government sources, such as Sport Singapore and the Tote Board. While this funding is vital, it is not enough. Clubs rely heavily on these funds, which is not a sustainable model.
The next FAS leadership must focus on diversifying revenue streams. Look to Japan’s J.League as a model. It thrives on a mix of corporate sponsorships, broadcast revenues, and matchday income. Clubs operate like businesses, aiming for self-sustainability. In contrast, Singapore’s football clubs often depend on government grants, stifling their growth.
Building a Professional League
A professional league is the backbone of any successful footballing nation. Japan’s J.League, launched in 1993, set a clear vision for growth. It aimed to expand from ten clubs to sixty over thirty years, and it succeeded. This vision included investments in club licensing, training facilities, and youth development.Singapore, however, lacks a similar blueprint. Short-term fixes, like bringing in foreign clubs or adjusting league numbers, have failed to create lasting change. The local league needs to evolve into a full-fledged professional entity. This means more competitive matches, better contracts, and clearer pathways for aspiring players.
Currently, many young talents see football as a hobby rather than a career. This perception must change. A robust professional league can help shift this mindset. It can provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and build their careers.
Creating Viable Careers
The notion that football is not a viable career in Singapore is damaging. Many players juggle second jobs or earn meager wages, perpetuating the idea that football is not a serious profession. Yet, the average salary for fully professional Singapore Premier League (SPL) players ranges from S$4,000 to S$5,000 per month. National team regulars can earn up to S$20,000. These figures are competitive, even compared to leagues in Japan and Eastern Europe.The challenge lies not just in pay but in stability. Players often lack job security and long-term prospects. Singapore must create a system where football careers are as structured and secure as those in other sectors. This means better salaries and strong development pathways.
In Japan, players typically know their professional futures by age 24. Those who don’t make the cut can transition into university football, which remains competitive. In Singapore, the pathways are murky. The small league and lack of funding hinder clubs from offering stable opportunities.
A New Chapter for Singapore Football
The upcoming FAS election is not merely about new faces; it’s an opportunity to reset Singapore football. It’s time to aim higher. We should not strive to "make Singapore football great again" because, in global terms, we have never been great. We have yet to qualify for a World Cup or an Asian Cup.However, with bold leadership and a clear plan, there’s no reason our footballers cannot compete on the regional and global stage. It starts with vision, investment, and belief. The new leadership must prioritize funding, build a professional league, and create viable career paths for players.
The Lion City Sailors’ recent call to host the AFC Champions League Two final at Jalan Besar Stadium highlights the potential for local football to shine. Hosting such an event could uplift the local scene and reignite national pride. It’s a reminder that Singapore has the capacity to stage world-class football events.
As the FAS election approaches, the football community must rally behind a vision that embraces ambition and growth. The future of Singapore football depends on it. The time for change is now. Let’s build a legacy that future generations can be proud of.