Total seed money for S-League clubs increased by S$2.5 million

by Tan Yo-Hinn
04:46 AM Mar 09, 2011 SINGAPORE - Besides the Courts Young Lions - who are run by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) - the 11 other clubs in the Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League are constantly looking to balance the books while aiming to put together a credible football squad.

Earlier this year, FAS president Zainudin Nordin revealed that the clubs would receive between 30 per cent and 40 per cent more in seed money this season as part of the exercise to improve the S-League. Yesterday, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Teo Ser Luck revealed in Parliament that the clubs would receive a combined S$8.7 million in funding from FAS.

The sum is some 40 per cent more than the S$6.2 million disbursed to clubs last year.

But Teo, who was responding to Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Sylvia Lim's queries on the state of Singapore football, clarified that the money will come from the TOTE Board and sponsors like Yeo's and Great Eastern Life Assurances Co Ltd.

"(FAS president) Zainudin (Nordin) has the will, intent and determination to revamp the whole system, and we want to be able to support that," said Teo, 42.

" ... Revamping the S-League is his plan. It will grow the league and the clubs and we'll have a better (football) environment. The SSC (Singapore Sports Council) will support the youth development scheme. That is why this year we have given (the FAS) a 50-per-cent increase compared to the previous year. But it will take time."

The SSC announced last month that the FAS would receive more than S$2.5 million in funding - a 50-per-cent increase from fiscal year 2010 - for 2011, with the increased sum dedicated to youth development.

S-League club chairmen welcomed the news. "It is definitely very good news as it will help make a difference," said Geylang United chairman Patrick Ang.

Balestier Khalsa vice-chairman S Thavaneson added: "It also means the ball is now at our feet to make sure we do everything we can to raise the game here.

"The clubs must make the communities located around them feel they have a vested interest in us. If we achieve that, we've succeeded."