SINGAPORE, 7 JUNE 2018 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Thursday that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has been conferred the AFC Grassroots Charter Silver membership status.

 

Started in 2017, the Charter is an endorsement tool to support Member Associations (MAs) in implementing grassroots programmes and activities.

 

The endorsement gives FAS a boost for such initiatives, which has covered a range of target groups in the past few years. Grassroots activities have included both boys and girls, and there has been a “tremendous focus” on women’s football, according to AFC.

 

The latter includes various women’s events and competitions, such as the FAS Women’s Premier League, FAS Under-14 Girls’ League and quarterly FIFA “Live Your Goals” Festivals. A U-12 development squad was also started, in addition to the age-group U-14, U-16 and U-19 National Teams.

 

FAS President Mr Lim Kia Tong said: “Last year, the FAS was awarded the AFC President Recognition Award for Grassroots Football in the Developing category, and we are delighted to be recognised with the Silver Level membership in the AFC Grassroots Charter this year.

 

“Our Technical Director Michel Sablon and Julie Teo, our General Manager for Women’s and Grassroots football have put in much effort in our grassroots programmes to ensure we have a robust system in place. With the support from the FAS Community Outreach, Grassroots and Volunteer Committee chaired by FAS Council Member Michael Foo, attaining the silver level membership is a timely acknowledgement of their efforts.

 

“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our stakeholders including Sport Singapore and the Ministry of Education as well as our sponsors for their continued support and for believing in our vision for Singapore football.
Other initiatives targeting the grassroots – defined as all football that is non-professional and non-elite – have reached out to not just children, youths and amateurs, but also veterans, those with learning or physical disabilities and the socially disadvantaged.

 

The FAS has organised ‘Respect’ campaigns for the FAS Cubs programme, which instill values of teamwork, respect and sportsmanship as part of a personal development programme to build character among the children.

 

“Coupled with engaging private clubs and academies to continuously develop the game, it also landed them an AFC President Recognition for Grassroots Football award in 2017,” said the AFC in a release.

 

“Additionally, the push on non-elite football activities through school festivals and annual school championships have made football the fastest growing sport for children in the country.”

 

MORE TO COME
MAs are evaluated for endorsement across 20 performance categories, such as fair play, partnerships and personal development, at three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze, which emphasise range and retention, education and development, and mass participation respectively.

 

FAS met all the criteria in the Charter for Silver and now join five other MAs to have been awarded such memberships. Last month, the Football Federation of Australia was given the Gold, while the Chinese Football Association were awarded Silver and three MAs – Bhutan Football Federation, Hong Kong Football Association and Macau Football Association – were awarded Bronze.

 

Encouraging mass participation, stimulating greater interest in the game, providing more opportunities for social inclusion, supporting healthy lifestyles and the development of young people, both the sporting and educational aspects, are highlighted as the main objectives in grassroots football.

 

“The success garnered by FAS is a result of team effort through partnership and collaboration with the media, sponsors and government support in promoting the game that has also seen the inclusion of parents, teachers and volunteers within the community,” AFC added.

 

“Developing grassroots football continues to be a vital aspect of our vision for Singapore football, and we are grateful to receive this recognition from the AFC. We have initiated a broad range of activities in grassroots football – from programmes for women, to children and in coaching education. We will continue to establish and expand our grassroots programmes to reach a wider community,” Mr. Lim noted.

 

Continuing the momentum, the FAS will also be organising a futsal tournament for children in the Under-10 and Under-14 categories this year. The revamped Singapore Premier League also actively encourages clubs to reach out to the community, through curtain raisers and pre-match activities.