FAS Deputy Director To Join International Rugby Board

SINGAPORE, 11 JULY 2014: The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) today announced that Ridzal Saat, Deputy Director for Development and Planning, has been headhunted by the International Rugby Board (IRB) for a regional role with the world governing body.

Ridzal, 42, will become the IRB’s Rugby Services Manager for Asia, a newly-created position in the organisation. He has started serving out his notice period with the FAS.

Ridzal joined the FAS in 2010. Prior to that, the former national rugby player was the general manager of the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU).

During his four years with the FAS, he was part of the team that managed and looked after the national body’s strategic and day-to-day relationships with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Sport Singapore (Sport SG), Singapore Tote Board, Singapore Pools, partners and sponsors.

Ridzal also helped to implement several of the national body’s programmes and strategies for the development of young players.

This included the execution of one of the key agreements of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in 2011, which was to form a Singapore developmental squad, known as the LionsXII, to participate in the Malaysian Super League (MSL). The team has since become a household name and its successes have given a much-needed boost to local football. Ridzal also managed the administrative teams behind the Courts Young Lions and the National Team.

Additionally, he was part of the team that was involved in preparing for the FAS organisational development assessments conducted by Sport SG in 2011 and 2013, which the FAS subsequently scored highly in.

“I have had a very satisfying four years at the FAS, and learnt a lot about football and sports administration in my time here,” said Mr Ridzal.

“I would like to thank President Zainudin Nordin and General Secretary Winston Lee for their advice, guidance and support as well as the many developmental opportunities they have given me in their commitment towards raising the standards of Singapore football.

“This new position at the IRB will be a challenging and demanding one, but I am certain that what I have learnt in my time with local football will stand me in good stead.

“I am well aware too of the constraints that the FAS constantly faces and works around in pursuit of our footballing vision and goals, and it is my hope to see more corporate partners coming on board to help the sport here to reach the next level. It is also why I have informed Mr Zainudin and Winston of my desire to continue contributing to Singapore football as a volunteer in future.”

FAS General Secretary Winston Lee said: “Ridzal has been a key member of our team and it is with regret that I have accepted his resignation. However, I know that rugby is the other sporting passion in his life and that he is a very suitable candidate for this new regional role at the IRB.

“Ridzal has taken on the demanding responsibilities and challenges of his position at the FAS admirably and he is well-liked and respected by his colleagues. We are very appreciative of his contributions to Singapore football, we welcome his wish to continue volunteering with the FAS, and we wish him all the best in his new station.”

The FAS is now identifying potential candidates to fill the position of Deputy Director, Development and Planning. An announcement on the appointment will be made in due course.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE

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