Almost S$1m each for nine S-League clubs

Source

FAS announce increased cash subsidy, more KPI-based incentives

by Shamir Osman

Apr 05, 2011

SINGAPORE - The clubs in the Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League asked for more help last year and were duly promised a boost in funding ahead of this year's campaign.

Last month, Teo Ser Luck, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, told Parliament the subsidy for S-League clubs would rise from S$6.2 million last year to S$8.7 million this year.

In a pleasant surprise yesterday, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) told the club chairmen in a meeting that total funding could even exceed that amount.

The nine local clubs could receive up to S$864,000 in total funding for each of the next five seasons, starting this year.

While the FAS still need to sign off on the new figures with their stakeholders, each club could potentially receive at least S$434,000 in cash - or at least 40 per cent more from last year - up from S$310,000 last year. The clubs also stand to receive up to S$430,000 each in outcome-based funding - up to a 100 per cent increase from last year.

The two foreign clubs, French side Etoile FC and Japan's Albirex Niigata, will receive up to 60 per cent of the total increased sum, which could mean a maximum of S$518,400 each.

Said FAS president Zainudin Nordin: "Clubs will receive at least 40 per cent more in cash subsidies, and up to 100 per cent more in performance-based subsidies ... to assist clubs to strengthen their financial position, raise the clubs' management capabilities, attract more quality players and intensify their community engagement."

The S-League features 12 teams, including the Courts Young Lions, who are wholly funded by the FAS.

Last September, the nine local club chairmen made a plea to the FAS for more financial help, with some fearing they would have to quit the competition otherwise.

Now, besides the increase in funding for each side, all nine local clubs will also receive S$110,000 each to fund their centres of excellence (COE) - to groom under-14, under-16 and under-18 teams - which have to be launched this May.

Currently only five sides - Geylang United, Home United, SAFFC, Tampines Rovers and Woodlands Wellington - run COEs, with funding capped last year at S$100,000 each.

The total amount disbursed to clubs each year - assuming they fulfil all performance-based criteria set out by the FAS - will be in excess of S$8.8 million.

The additional funds will come courtesy of Singapore Pools and other sponsors.

Said Balestier Khalsa vice-chairman S Thavaneson: "The fairest assessment of all this (increase in funding) is that all the chairmen left the meeting pleased."

The outcome-based incentives will be pegged to pre-set figures on attendance, revenue from sponsors, community outreach programmes and even the quality of foreign signings.

Each club also stand to receive up to S$55,000 each for two young (aged 18-21) foreign players who are approved by the FAS technical committee.

The move will help the FAS identify and shortlist players for the Foreign Talent Scheme.

Said Gombak United chairman John Yap: "FAS are careful in administrating extra money, and the key point is that FAS wants clubs to be proactive, to excel and to move in the right direction. The FAS will help clubs who help themselves."

Football chief Zainudin warned the clubs to use the increased funding judiciously, when he said: "We don't want to make it onerous ... (but) the things must be done properly. When we give you more resources, don't take it and do a shabby job."