Singapore’s commitment to nurturing its base of elite young footballers and advancing coaching standards has received a boost.
BG Sports Company Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sport Singapore (SportSG) and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) – another collaboration with overseas partners to support the nation’s efforts in fostering football excellence.
Standing (from left): Mr Philip Tan, Director of International Operations BG Pathum United, Mr Toh Boon Yi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Sport Singapore, Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, and Mr Razali Saad, Vice-President Football Association of Singapore join (seated from left) Mr Marcus Tan Group Chief Sport Development Group, Sport Singapore, Mr Piyasak Bhumichitra, Chief Executive Officer of BG Sports Company Limited and Mr Yazeen Buhari, General Secretary, Football association of Singapore during the MOU signing ceremony at the Kallang Football Hub.
The MOU will see BG Pathum United (BGPU), one of Thailand’s top professional football clubs managed by BG Sports Company Limited, extend its football expertise and facilities to complement efforts under the Unleash The Roar! national football project to uplift Singapore football.
Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, witnessed the MOU signing today between Mr Piyasak Bhumichitra, Chief Executive Officer of BG Sports Company Limited, Mr Marcus Tan, Chief, Sport Development Group, SportSG and Mr Yazeen Buhari, General Secretary, FAS at the Kallang Football Hub. A friendly match between BGPU’s Under-16 team and the National Development Centre Under-16 team was also held to commemorate the occasion.
The three-party collaboration will offer key benefits, including:
● Annual training camps and competitions in Thailand for the Singapore youth teams, exposing them to higher standard of play and broadening their tactical understanding and skills;
● Attachment opportunities for Singapore’s promising male and female footballers to train with BGPU’s first team or youth teams;
● Attachment opportunities for aspiring coaches to sharpen their coaching skills with BGPU’s first team or youth teams;
● Access to BGPU’s training facility in Thailand for Singapore’s national teams to hold training camps or friendly matches;
● Competition opportunities such as Singapore Cup, Lion City Cup, for BGPU’s teams;
● Singapore as a potential training location for BGPU’s teams
Singapore's senior and youth teams will have access to BGPU's state-of-the-art training facility for pre-tournament training stints and friendly matches. Photo courtesy of BGPU.
The MOU was first mooted in March this year when Minister Tong visited the Thai club and met BG Pathum United’s Chairman Mr. Pavin Bhirombhakdi.
Said SportSG’s Sport Development Group Chief Marcus Tan: “We are fortunate to have a partner like BG Sports Company Limited who share our commitment to youth and coach development. BGPU is one of Thailand’s biggest football clubs and a rising power in the region. Singapore football will no doubt benefit from working with them. We look forward to a mutually beneficial collaboration, one that will further improve the football on both sides.”
Added BGPU's Director of International Operations Philip Tan: “BGPU is proud to collaborate on this meaningful partnership. Apart from working together in the areas of youth and coach development, we’re very excited about the prospects of taking part in competitions like the Singapore Cup and the Lion City Cup and showcase our brand of football.”
Added FAS General Secretary Yazeen Buhari: “The MOU will offer our various national teams opportunities for pre-competition trainings in Thailand at a quality facility.
“And BG Pathum United’s presence in Singapore tournaments will also level up the competitiveness with the quality they bring, which only augurs well for our local sides to be able to pit themselves against one of the region’s best.”
The MOU will further strengthen Singapore’s existing ties with BGPU. Singapore internationals Irfan Fandi, Ikshan Fandi and Ryhan Stewart play for the Thai club and their participation has been instrumental in the club finishing fourth in the Thai League 1 this season and reaching the Thai League Cup final.
Former Singapore international Kadir Yahaya is BGPU’s Head of Youth and oversees a youth programme that was recognised by the Asian Football Confederation as a One-Star Elite Youth Scheme, a programme that complements efforts to nurture talented footballers.
BG Sports Company Limited also signed a deal with Singapore Premier League side Tampines Rovers last year which saw the club renamed BG Tampines Rovers FC.
Comments