Image: Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd
by Low Lin Fhoong
04:46 AM Mar 23, 2011
SINGAPORE - South-east Asia's football kings Malaysia will take on Etoile FC, the reigning champions of the Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League, on Saturday in an effort to raise money for Japan's recovery effort after the devastating earthquake that hit the country on March 11.
There will be a double bill at Jalan Besar Stadium, with the Courts Young Lions taking on Albirex Niigata at 5pm in an S-League clash, followed by Etoile's friendly with Malaysia at 8pm.
More than S$4,200 was raised at the Albirex-Etoile game at Jurong East Stadium last week and retail giants Courts and Vanda Sports Group, promoters of the Young Lions, hope to raise at least S$40,000 from Saturday's S-League match for the relief effort in Japan.
The sum will come from gate receipts, cash and product donations from Courts' retail partners.
The visit of the Malaysian national team will help fan turnout, and Football Association of Malaysia general secretary Azzuddin Ahmad confirmed yesterday that the majority of the Suzuki Cup winning side will be in Singapore.
Speaking to MediaCorp, Azzuddin said: "I must admit a few players will be out because of injury but about 90 per cent of the team that won the Suzuki Cup will be going to Singapore to play this weekend.
"We have a schedule for centralised training that will see the team ideally play an 'A' international friendly from time to time, just to give the boys regular match practice. We were unable to get an international team to play, so we just had to find good opposition for them."
Johan Gouttefangeas, chairman of French outfit Etoile FC, said: "We thought it a good idea to do this for Japan and to hold the match after the Young Lions and Albirex game as Albrirex is a Japanese team.
"We are still talking to the Football Association of Singapore and the Courts Young Lions (on details for donating gate receipts) and will determine that tomorrow (Wednesday)."
Targeting a crowd of 2,000 adult fans, Courts have pledged to contribute S$5 for each S$5 ticket sold.
Acer and Demand Print, partners of the electrical, IT and furniture retailers, will donate S$7,500 each, while BlackBerry, Brother, Samsung and Toshiba will contribute products to the cause. All proceeds will go to the Save the Children Fund (Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency) for the estimated 100,000 children who have lost their homes.
Courts chief executive Terry O'Connor, said: "Many of our Japanese suppliers have already made direct contributions to aid the people in Japan since news of the quake broke. We are very heartened to receive additional support from these suppliers as well as the outpouring of support from our Taiwanese, Korean, Canadian and Singaporean suppliers. Every bit counts and we hope the fans will come together on Saturday and show their support for the Courts Young Lions and in turn help the children in Japan."
Tickets for the Courts Young Lions game against Albirex Niigata are priced at S$5 (adults) and S$1 (concession) each and can be purchased at the gate. Visit www.courtsyounglions.com for more information.
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