The FAS Captains’ Advisory Panel was officially launched this afternoon at Jalan Besar Stadium by FAS President Mr Zainudin Nordin.

The Panel consists of 12 former Captains of the Lions, from Quah Kim Lye to Aide Iskandar. Including six members of the Lions’ Century Club, they represent four decades of Singapore football from 1966 to 2007. 

An initiative of Mr Zainudin, the FAS Captains’ Advisory Panel will be a resource for the FAS President to offer advice and ideas to further the mission and goals of FAS as well as assist the FAS Council in all matters involving the development of football in Singapore submitted to it.

The panel will brainstorm and recommend to FAS the following:

(1)    Ideas and initiatives to inspire the football community to greater heights of support for local football with a sense of pride;

(2)    Ideas and initiatives in appreciation and recognition of the contributions made by former national players

(3)    Ideas and initiatives to tap on the experience and stature of former players to further the mission and goals of FAS

The term of this Panel will be from 12 November 2009 up to 31 March 2011 which is similar to that of the current term of office of the FAS Council.

Said FAS President Zainudin Nordin, “The FAS Captains’ Advisory Panel was one of the first initiatives that I was working on with Kok Fann when I took over the Presidency this year and I am pleased to launch it today. With the Strategic Plan in mind and to further the goals and mission for FAS, I decided that it was appropriate to form the CAP to tap on the experience, leadership qualities, knowledge and ideas of these legends of Singapore football that will complement the work of my Football Excellence and Grassroots & Community Outreach Committees.”

Captain Marvel T Pathmanathan who skippered the Lions in the late 1980s and early 1990s feels that the panel will be able to reach out to more children to play the beautiful game. “I feel we can influence more kids to be more active and to get them playing more. With more of them playing, we can expect to identify hidden talent among them.”

Goalkeeper David Lee, who enjoyed a long and illustrious career with the Lions from 1979 to 1996, felt that their collective experience in the game will be their greatest asset. “We can pass on our experience during our playing days to the new generation. We will also be providing suggestions and feedback for Singapore football. It’s great that FAS got this group together.”

Aide Iskandar, the youngest former captain among the panel at 34 was equally confident about what the CAP can do. “It’s a great initiative by FAS and an important one to take Singapore football forward. We are currently the best in Asean and we should look to be among the top few in Asia too. This group comprise of experienced players from different eras and with that there will be different ideas coming out. I am confident that we will be giving a lot of positive and constructive ideas.”

FAS Captains’ Advisory Panel (2009 to 2011)

Chairman: Leong Kok Fann

Honorary Secretary: Lau Kok Keng

Honorary Treasurer: Michael Chee

Members