A S$1-million boost for the S-League

Source

SINGAPORE - The country's domestic football competition will see several changes implemented this year, but it will retain its name, the Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League, for at least the next two seasons.

At their 1 Pickering Street headquarters yesterday, Great Eastern penned an extension of their co-title sponsorship of the S-League in a deal worth S$1 million over two years.

It is an improvement over the last deal, which saw the S-League receive the same amount over three years.

While details of the Yeo's deal was not revealed, that contract will also run out in 2013.

"Last night's fan support (at the Malaysian Super League opening fixture between LionsXII and Kelantan) is really a good indication that there is a lot of support for football in Singapore, and we can expect an exciting season not just for the M-League but also for the S-League," said Great Eastern general manager Dr Khoo Kah Siang.

"One key initiative during this new sponsorship term will be our work with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on an outreach programme to schools where we will be using football to promote life skills ... while championing a healthy lifestyle.

"On top of the S$1 million we are going to put in a bit more money to ensure that we can create more exciting activities in our outreach programme."

Former Singapore international Lionel Lewis, Tampines Rovers' hitman Aleksandar Duric and Balestier Khalsa skipper Paul Cunningham have come on board as ambassadors to help fuel Great Eastern initiatives.

As part of the sponsorship deal, the Feb 5 season opener between league champions Tampines and RHB Singapore Cup winners Home United at Jalan Besar Stadium will be christened the Great Eastern Charity Shield and proceeds from the fixture will be channelled to the MINDS Fernvale Gardens School.