SAFFC no more, Warriors FC in hunt for sponsors

SINGAPORE — Despite having a name that is synonymous with eight S-League titles and four Singapore Cups, the Singapore Armed Forces Football Club (SAFFC) have ditched it for a new one. Starting this season, they will be known as Warriors FC.

The Choa Chu Kang-based club decided to make the change so as to open up more marketing and sponsorship opportunities.

Said Warriors General Manager Chong Wei Chiang: “With the blessing of the Ministry of Defence, we have been given more liberty to engage potential sponsors. This includes looking for companies to come on board as title sponsors.

“By changing our name to Warriors FC, it allows us the flexibility to attach a sponsor’s name to that of the club. It was more difficult to do so with a name like SAFFC.”

Chong said the club are currently in discussions with a number of prospective title sponsors.

In the meantime, they have sealed a two-year attire sponsorship deal with Svolme, a Japanese sports and fashion brand, worth around S$300,000.

The club’s decision to change their name was welcomed by their fans.

Said 26-year-old Khalis Rifhan, who has been a diehard fan since the club’s inception in 1996: “Actually, we fans identify ourselves more with the word ‘Warriors’ rather than ‘SAFFC’ ... I’ve always said I am a Warriors fan rather than an SAFFC one.

“Every new start brings about a new sense of motivation, and I hope this name will reflect the players’ performance on the pitch, one that is worthy of the name ‘Warriors’.”

His sentiments were echoed by 52-year-old usher Albert Lim: “I’m very happy with the change of name, as well as the change of image, as this will send a signal to the rest of the league that we have a plan to do better in the league this season.”

The Warriors have signed former Japan international Kazuyuki Toda as their marquee player this year. They have also added Lions midfielder Shi Jiayi to their roster and striker Sufian Anuar, who played for the LionsXII in the Malaysian Super League and Malaysia Cup last year.

Meanwhile, S-League clubs will get to travel to Malaysia and Brunei for some of their away matches this season.

This is because Malaysia’s Harimau Muda have decided to use the Pasir Gudang Stadium in Johor as their home ground this year.

The clubs travelled to Bandar Seri Begawan last year to take on DPMM Brunei at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium, while Harimau Muda played their home matches at the Yishun Stadium.

For this season, the Malaysian side, which will be represented by their under-21 team, were offered the 18,000-seat Pasir Gudang Stadium by the Johor Football Association. Charles Ong, with ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY DAN GUEN CHIN