FAS ● Sep 24, 2022
FAS concludes 40th Annual Congress
Bernard Tan assumed as FAS Acting President till the next Congress, late Mr Lim Kia Tong honoured in eulogies from fraternity
Acting President Bernard Tan addressing the attendees of the 40th FAS Annual Congress on Friday, 23 September 2022.
SINGAPORE, 24 SEPTEMBER 2022 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) held its 40th Annual Congress at the Raffles Town Club yesterday evening with its affiliates, stakeholders, and partners as well as members of the media in attendance.
Before the Congress agenda began, a tribute was held for the late FAS President Mr Lim Kia Tong, who passed suddenly on Wednesday, 14 September 2022. FAS General Secretary Yazeen Buhari, FAS Council Member Julie Teo, former FAS Secretariat and Administrator Lydia Lim and SingaBrigade member Syed Faris were featured in a homage video, thanking Mr Lim for his 30 years of service to Singapore football.
Three members of the fraternity also delivered a eulogy for Mr Lim: President of Woodlands Lions FC R. Vengadasalam, President of Warwick Knights Football Club Andrew Lioe and Albirex Niigata Football Club (S) Chairman Daisuke Korenaga.
President of Warwick Knights Football Club Andrew Lioe delivering his eulogy to the late FAS President Mr Lim Kia Tong.
After, Bernard Tan was officially announced as the FAS Acting President by FAS General Secretary Yazeen Buhari as an election for the post was unable to be conducted in time owing to the lack of days in the run-in towards Congress. A fresh election for the post shall thus be conducted no later than 30 September 2023 at the next FAS Congress, or at a FAS Extraordinary Congress.
FAS Acting President Tan gave his first address and shared the key highlights in the past Financial Year, including the launch of School Football Academies and the progress of implementing Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in Singapore.
Launch of School Football Academies
As part of the Unleash the Roar! project, in collaboration with Sport Singapore, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, 10 School Football Academies (SFAs) were launched earlier this year. The pilot programme currently runs for Secondary 1 students and will progressively expand to include all levels, with about 1,400 boys and girls to benefit by 2025. The SFAs are bolstered by the support of Spanish league LaLiga, with Spanish coaches helming key positions alongside local coaches.
FAS-VAR Project Team established
The FAS Referees Department, who are part of the FAS-VAR Project Team, held a kick-off meeting in February with key FIFA VAR experts to discuss the initial considerations of implementation and to identify the various requirements needed of technology, education, compliance, finance and more. The team has coordinated and organised the undertaking meticulously from the beginning, due to the complexity of the project and the existing dependencies. All match officials will be required to complete the VAR training, which is conducted through theoretical and simulator sessions.
A copy of the FAS Annual Report (2021-2022) can be viewed here.
