Press Releases ● Aug 16, 2017
Trio Of Singaporean Officials Appointed For FIFA U17 World Cup India 2017
TRIO OF SINGAPOREAN OFFICIALS APPOINTED FOR FIFA U17 WORLD CUP INDIA 2017
SINGAPORE, 16 AUGUST 2017: The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is pleased to announce that Singaporean match officials Muhammad Taqi bin Jahari, Edwin Lee and Ronnie Koh have been appointed to officiate at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup India to be held from 6-28 October 2017. It is the first time a Singaporean trio has been appointed to a FIFA international tournament.
The tournament will be the first FIFA tournament assignment for assistant referees Edwin Lee and Ronnie Koh, and Taqi Jahari’s first time at the Under-17 World Cup. Taqi has previously officiated as a Video Assistant Referee at the recent FIFA Under-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017, and as a support referee in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015.
Edwin Lee, who has previously officiated several FIFA World Cup qualifiers and various Asian Football Confederation tournaments and matches, enthused: “I am very happy to have been appointed to the tournament alongside Taqi and Ronnie – it is everybody’s dream come true to receive such a prestigious appointment. I have to thank my family for supporting me in my refereeing career, as well as FAS for their efforts in developing us. We are all looking forward to the tournament and doing Singapore proud as the first trio to be appointed to a FIFA tournament.”
FAS President Lim Kia Tong said: “The FAS is extremely delighted that the FIFA Referees’ Committee has selected our FIFA Referee Taqi and FIFA Assistant Referees Edwin and Ronnie to officiate at the prestigious FIFA U17 World Cup India 2017 tournament as one of the three referee trios representing the AFC; the other two referee trios being from Japan and Bahrain. They have met the very stringent standard of the FIFA Referees’ Committee in the selection of referees for this important tournament. It is the first time that we have a trio of referees selected for an important FIFA tournament, and this speaks volumes about our Referees Department’s efforts in developing our local officials, and the officials themselves – working with so much commitment and perseverance to be top-class referees. All three of them deserve our unreserved commendation.
“We are very proud that our referees are flying our Singapore flag high at international tournaments, and we are very confident that Taqi, Edwin and Ronnie will acquit themselves with distinction at the tournament. We shall do all necessary to prepare them for the said tournament, including giving them more assignments for S.League matches. Attempts shall also be made to get them assigned to duties at overseas league matches. Our FIFA Referees fitness instructor Ganesan Maniam will assist to ensure that they are in top physical condition.”
FAS Council Member and Chairperson of FAS Referees Committee Lim Tong Hai added: “As the only trio of referees from Southeast Asia, they are not only representing Singapore but also the region. This is indeed a great opportunity for them and I am sure that they will be able to learn a great deal from their fellow referees. It is an honour to have three of our match officials at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup India, and we will continue to support and develop our local referees. Congratulations once again to Taqi, Edwin and Ronnie.”
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
