SINGAPORE, 26 JULY 2020 – In connection with his new appointment as the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s new cabinet announced on 25 July 2020, Mr Edwin Tong has given notice of resignation from the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) Council and will be stepping down from the FAS Executive Committee with immediate effect.

 

Having served on the FAS Council since 2013 as a Vice President as well as the Chairman of the FAS Legal Committee in this current term, Mr Tong has been an integral member of the executive body with his legal and public sector experience, as well as an exemplary ambassador in the promotion of Football in Singapore.

 

Together with President Lim Kia Tong, he initiated the rebranding and revamp of the local professional football league from S.League to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) in 2018, including establishing the four pillars that the SPL is based on – as a premium platform for aspiring footballers, professionalism, sustainability and a vibrant football culture. On top of that, he also headed the digital push for the newly minted SPL, calling for free live streaming of matches to be available to further enhance engagements with local fans and communities.

 

Mr Tong was also part of the project team in the initiation of Goal 2034, a national plan with the aspirational aim of World Cup qualification by 2034. Conceived as a vision and a focal point, Goal 2034 is meant to galvanise Singapore’s entire football ecosystem, from players and coaches in the grassroots, community, schools, and finally in elite football as well.

 

FAS President Lim Kia Tong said, “Having worked with Edwin since 2013, he was a valuable member of the team and we could always count on him for advice and insightful perspectives.  We will lose an integral part of the team, but we are aware that he has a higher calling to answer to for the betterment of our nation. On behalf of all the FAS Council members and staff, I would like to place on record our utmost thanks and sincere gratitude to Edwin for all his contributions to the organisation over the past eight years. We wish him all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his public service career in his new role as the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and we are extremely confident that he will acquit himself with unparalleled distinction.”