Press Releases ● Mar 17, 2016
Inaugural H-Two-O Ultimate Challenge Cup Kicks Off
SINGAPORE, 17 MARCH 2016: Hougang Secondary School emerged as champion of the Under-17 category at the inaugural H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge Cup by beating Springfield Secondary School 2-1 in the final earlier today. The tournament, which runs from 17-19 March at the Jalan Besar Stadium, will see a total number of 52 teams from various schools participating.
The H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge Cup is part of the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) and YEO’S youth development initiatives to give school football teams – specifically, those that do not qualify for the Nationals from the Zonal competitions – more opportunities to play high quality, age-appropriate matches.
Mr Michel Sablon, Technical Director of the FAS, expressed his delight with the organisation of the H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge Cup and what it means for the development of youth football.
“It is very important for players to be regularly exposed to matches of a high standard from a young age to build up their experience and to improve their skills as they develop and advance to the next level. This is why we are very happy that YEO’S has stepped in to work with us to provide great opportunities like this competition for our young talents to continue to test their skills against one another,” said Mr Sablon.
Ms May Ngiam, 1st Vice President of YHS (Singapore) Pte Ltd, was also pleased to know that the H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge Cup was a huge success.
‚ÄúWe are glad to have kicked off the first of our new initiatives with the S.League for 2016, and to provide more opportunities for these younger footballers to play quality matches. We hope that such platforms will allow these children and youths to sharpen not just their football skills, but also build their soft skills of teamwork, sportsmanship and communication, which are essential life skills. We want to emphasise the importance of sports in these children’s daily lives as it enhances both their physical and mental health. It is also important that their parents and friends came to support them in these competitions as watching the game also bonds the community together,‚Äù affirmed Ms Ngiam.
Mr Mohammed Riffaii, coach of MacPherson Secondary School, was enthusiastic in his support for the tournament: “The H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge Cup is a very good platform to allow students from the lower-tiered schools to have an opportunity to showcase their talent and play more high-quality matches. This is something that was previously limited only to schools that made it to the National Schools Championship. I think this is a good initiative, to allow these young players the chance to participate in another well-organised tournament.”
This is the first of two editions of the H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge Cup this year, with the second to come in June. The Under-14 category will be played tomorrow, with the Primary (Seniors) and Primary (Juniors) categories to take place on Saturday.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
