FAS ● Nov 26, 2022
Football With A Heart returns after three-year hiatus, raises record $1 million for the disadvantaged
Credit: Singapore Pools
SINGAPORE, 26 NOVEMBER 2022 – “Football With A Heart” (FWAH, 足球传爱心) returned today at Our Tampines Hub after a three-year Covid-19 induced hiatus and raised a record amount of over $1 million.
The feat was achieved with grant partner Tote Board matching a dollar for every dollar donated. All proceeds will go towards six FWAH beneficiaries – FAS Cares, Filos Community Services Ltd, GreenSG Collab Ltd, Heartware Network, iShine Cloud Limited and SportCares.
Co-organised by Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Sport Singapore (SportSG), with Tote Board and venue partner Our Tampines Hub, FWAH endeavours to reinforce the strong commitment of Singapore’s companies to use sports as a force for social good. The event was graced by Speaker of Parliament Mr Tan Chuan-Jin.
This year’s edition is the seventh since the event’s inauguration in 2012. FWAH remains as Singapore’s first and only executive football charity fund-raiser set up as a partnership between private and public sectors to raise much-needed funds for the disadvantaged.
In addition to the support from 50 sponsors across diverse industries such as banking and finance, hospitality, human resources, IT and telecommunications, this year’s event also saw 40 corporate teams compete against each other. Parliamentarians, local artistes including Li Nanxing, Shane Pow and the cast of Ah Girls Go Army, and ex-Singapore internationals Mohd Noor Ali and Lim Tong Hai were among those who participated in the five-a-side tournament.
Credit: Singapore Pools
Dr. Foo Fung Fong, Executive Director of Filos Community Services said: “Filos works towards building resilience in our families and empowering the children and youth through academic support and enrichment programmes. Every $50 goes a long way in supporting a child through monthly tuition, and $250 assists a needy family with their daily necessities for three months. We would like to extend our thanks to FWAH organisers and donors in building a stronger community together.”
With more than $5 million raised for 45 unique charities and social enterprises to date, FAS General Secretary Mr Yazeen Buhari added: “The FAS welcomes the return of FWAH after a three-year absence and we are happy to once again support this meaningful cause. Being Singapore’s largest executive football charity fundraiser, FWAH is a unique event that brings together various corporate entities in the spirit of friendly sporting competition while raising funds for those in need. Just as it is vital to have teamwork on the pitch, we look forward to working together with our long-standing partner, Singapore Pools, and the respective event sponsors to raise funds for the recipients.”
Credit: Singapore Pools
Mr Lim Teck Yin, CEO of SportsSG, said: “We are honoured to co-organise this established executive football charity fund-raising event and grateful that part of the proceeds will go towards our philanthropic arm, SportCares. In its 10th year, SportCares continues to power sport for social development initiatives such as our Saturday Night Lights football programme for youth at-risk. Together with our community partners, including Singapore Pools, SportCares has impacted more than 40,000 beneficiaries through sport. FWAH’s contributions will help to build stronger and more inclusive communities.”
Singapore Pools’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lam Chee Weng, said: “Just like a football team where everyone plays a part towards a common goal, Singapore Pools is honoured to be doing good with like-minded partners like Football Association of Singapore, Sport Singapore, Tote Board and Our Tampines Hub, as well as sponsors who have contributed generously towards this effort. It is with this unyielding commitment from all our partners and sponsors that we are able to exceed our fundraising target, garnering over $1 million in donations for the selected beneficiaries in areas such as sports, youth development, sustainability, strengthening family and community bonds, and enabling the charity sector.”
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
