Replies to Forum ● Feb 16, 2013
FAS’ reply to ST Forum Page: FAS is transparent and accountable in decision-making
We thank readers Melvin Tan, M. Lukshumayeh and Jahangeer K. Abdul Halim for their views (“Give FAS time to pick a new coach”, “FAS could have done better” and “Singapore football should aim higher” respectively, February 16).
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is grateful for the strong and unstinting support that football enjoys among Singaporeans, and we are fully cognisant of our responsibilities in working for the best interests of Singapore football.
We assure fans that we are willing to listen to constructive and practical suggestions on how we can improve. Indeed, FAS agrees with ST forum reader George Quek that we should employ coaches and staff who are willing and ready to work around the constraints to strive for success (“LionsXII deserve respect for working hard despite constraints”, Feb 7).
FAS will always strive to work with the utmost professionalism. We are transparent in our dealings with our stakeholders, and we are ready to be held accountable for our decisions, including the appointment of the national coach.
We are not sure how Mr M. Lukshumayeh and others concluded that it was “very clear” that the-then national coach Raddy Avramovic was not going to renew his contract. While we are not at liberty to disclose the details of the discussions between the FAS and Mr Avramovic, including the commencement and duration of such talks, it suffices to say that both parties had always been focused on the AFF Suzuki Cup and had also openly indicated that any other issues will be discussed and decided only after the competition.
As noted in our press release dated Dec 28, several candidates had expressed their interest for the position of National Coach over the past few months. We added that we could only formalise our arrangement with Sports Recruitment International after Mr Avramovic and FAS mutually agreed not to renew his contract. To do so any earlier would be unprofessional, and would have placed undue distractions during the Suzuki Cup campaign.
FAS seeks the continued support of our stakeholders, which is key to our successes. While we are encouraged by FIFA’s assessment that we have progressed well in most of the nine areas spelt out in the Strategic Plan, we will continue to work hard and secure the necessary resources so as to fulfil the goals in other key areas.
