Press Releases ● Sep 12, 2014
Football Association Of Singapore Concludes 32nd Annual General Meeting
Key announcements include search for new Technical Director and Coach Instructor
tasked to build on success of local football
SINGAPORE, 12 SEPTEMBER 2014: The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) held its 32nd Annual General Meeting earlier this evening at the Jalan Besar Stadium with its Council members, sponsors and club representatives in attendance.
The meeting commenced with a video presentation which showcased the key highlights during the past Financial Year, including the National Under-23’s bronze-winning SEA Games campaign, the progress of the Association’s youth developmental teams, and other key aspects of local football.
In his opening address, FAS President Zainudin Nordin reported that the past year had been a positive one for Singapore football, both on and off the pitch.
Key highlights of past financial year
In terms of players’ development, Mr Zainudin said that the FAS has been heartened and encouraged by the progress of several young players, including the likes of Zulfahmi Arifin, Gabriel Quak, Shahfiq Ghani, Madhu Mohana and Faris Ramli who not only recorded more playing time this season but have also progressed to becoming key players of the national team.
The President also shared at the meeting that the Association’s youth development programmes continue to be positively assessed by leading football officials, including the technical director of Austrian Football Association, Mr Willi Ruttensteiner, and former England Under-21 coach Brian Eastick.
Apart from youth development, other key pillars spelt out in the Strategic Plan have also achieved much progress during the past year. For instance, FAS is the first Member Association to be selected by the world’s governing body for the FIFA Connect Project, an IT programme which adopts the latest technology to enhance the stakeholders’ registration process.
FAS’ strengths in administrative leadership and management continue to be recognised at the international level. Mr Zainudin said: “For instance, French Football Federation Bernard Desumer described FAS as ‘one of Asia’s best football administrators’ and also noted that our youth development structure has ‘achieved much despite operating on a much smaller budget compared to other countries in the region’.
“FAS was also one of the shortlisted nominees for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Association of the Year.”
In terms of football partnerships, the FAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the French Football Federation (FFF) in October 2013 to learn from, and exchange expertise and information with the former World Cup and European champions in key areas including youth development, as well as coaches’ and referees’ education.
Mr Zainudin also shared at the meeting the Association’s key plans and programmes for the year ahead.
FIFA Under-17 World Cup
With regards to the Association’s interest in bidding for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, he said: “FAS is now in discussions with our key partners, including FIFA and Sport Singapore, and will prepare a detailed proposal which includes the benefits, timeline, budget and other requirements, as well as our detailed plans to ensure that the hosting of the event will leave a lasting legacy and also position us for more successes including qualification for subsequent editions of the competition on merit.”
New Technical Director to build on success and create winning teams for key competitions
The President also shared that FAS will recruit a new Technical Director, following the resignation of Slobodan Pavkovic who has expressed a desire to return to club coaching.
“Since he joined us in 2008, Slobodan has been working with his colleagues to reform and enhance the youth development structure and programmes, which have been praised by leading football officials including the then-FIFA Technical Director Jean-Michel Benezet. That our youth development structure is endorsed by leading officials is testament to the good work and efforts put in by our technical colleagues, including Slobodan. We wish him well and we have commenced our search for the new Technical Director.”
On the criteria used for selection of the next Technical Director, Mr Zainudin said: “Ideally, he should have experience in leading a team at FIFA’s or UEFA’s age-group world championships or a good track record as the Technical Director of a top team in Europe. He will be tasked to build on the success of our youth development system, develop more youth players who have the quality to play in Europe, and oversee the long-term preparations for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. We will appoint the best available person who will further strengthen our youth development structure with the aim of creating a winning team for key competitions such as AFC Asian Cup, Asian Games, FIFA Asian World Cup Qualifiers, Pre-Olympic Qualifiers, AFF Suzuki Cup, SEA Games and AFC/AFF age-group competitions.”
Embarking on next phase of coach education: Appointment of Coach Instructor
In addition, Mr Zainudin also revealed at the AGM that FAS is on the search for a Coach Instructor who will be tasked to raise the quality and quantity of coaches – both at the elite and grassroots levels.
“Coach education is one of the key components of our Strategic Plan as our coaches and instructors play an integral role in the development of our youth footballers. In recent years, we have introduced key educational sessions including the Coaches Morning sessions and have also conducted the AFC Pro-Diploma course – the highest certification course in Asia.
“As we embark on the next phase of training and developing quality coaches at both the elite and grassroots levels, we are looking to bring on-board a Coach Instructor who will be tasked to groom and develop local coaches. Our objective is to raise the quality and quantity of coaches who will one day coach overseas. In addition to past coaching experience at the highest levels, he is also expected to be a FIFA or AFC Instructor – someone who can conduct top courses such as the Pro-Diploma course. We have already spoken with some potential candidates and we hope to announce the appointment sometime within the next two to three months,” he said.
Football Development Fund
Mr Zainudin added that the Association has shortlisted youth players who may be placed on overseas attachments with European clubs in 2015. “Going forward, we will continue to actively utilise the Football Development Fund to identify and send potential and talented players, coaches, referees and staff for overseas attachments to enhance their capabilities and capacities,” he said.
Conclusion
Concluding his speech, Mr Zainudin said: “I would like to state that exciting times lie ahead – notwithstanding the challenges we face. Among other exciting developments, our plans to host or qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be a key event which will galvanise the nation. We have the organisational efficiency and infrastructure capabilities to host the event, and we are confident that the event will benefit Singapore beyond the sporting perspective.
“We will bring on board quality personnel who have a good track record in Europe, including a Technical Director and Coach Instructor. In addition, the opening of the new National Stadium and the launch of the ASEAN Super League are key developments which present us with opportunities to further raise our standards and bring more Singaporeans together through this sport.
“We must, and we will, continue to work closely with our stakeholders as we strive towards the goals and objectives as envisaged in our Strategic Plan. Together as one family, we will embark on this journey together and I believe we will achieve more success in the coming years.”
For the copy of the President’s speech, click here.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
