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RHB Bank gives Singapore football S$1.5m boost

SINGAPORE — It has been a turbulent few weeks for local football, with the sport reeling from revelations of amateur club Tiong Bahru Football Club’s (TBFC) S$500,000 donation to the Asean Football Federation, and a subsequent police raid on the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) headquarters, and the clubhouses of TBFC, Hougang United and Woodlands Wellington.

Mr Mike Chan, CEO and Country Head of RHB Bank Singapore (left) and Mr Micheal Foo, Council Member of FAS (right) having a group photo during the token presentation to RHB Singapore at the RHB Singapore Cup 2017 Preliminary Round Draw on 9 May 2017 at Ocean Financial Centre. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

Mr Mike Chan, CEO and Country Head of RHB Bank Singapore (left) and Mr Micheal Foo, Council Member of FAS (right) having a group photo during the token presentation to RHB Singapore at the RHB Singapore Cup 2017 Preliminary Round Draw on 9 May 2017 at Ocean Financial Centre. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

SINGAPORE — It has been a turbulent few weeks for local football, with the sport reeling from revelations of amateur club Tiong Bahru Football Club’s (TBFC) S$500,000 donation to the Asean Football Federation, and a subsequent police raid on the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) headquarters, and the clubhouses of TBFC, Hougang United and Woodlands Wellington.

While the newly-elected FAS council gets down to work, the sport received a welcome boost on Tuesday (May 9) as RHB Bank Berhad announced a three-year extension of its sponsorship for the Singapore Cup from 2017 to 2019.

The new deal is worth S$1.5 million and takes RHB’s sponsorship, which began in 2005, to a total of S$7.5m.

RHB’s partnership and support of local football’s premier Cup tournament is also the longest running sponsorship by a corporate backer.

Local beverage company Yeo’s ended its S.League title sponsorship this year after 13 seasons, while insurance company Great Eastern has been S.League co-title sponsors since 2009.

Despite Singapore football’s recent woes, the bank is keeping faith with the FAS. RHB Bank Singapore CEO and Country Head, Mike Chan, said they are looking forward to working with the new FAS council, which is led by president Lim Kia Tong.

“We are very happy that the incumbents won and there is consistency,” the 51-year-old told TODAY.

“The most important thing for us is (to focus on) the next generation of Singaporeans (and raising) their interest in football. Whatever little we can help, we will help, as long as there is consistency and football can continue to flourish in this country.

“Three years...gives a bit more time for FAS to plan better… a lot of this needs a lot of planning ahead, so that people have more certainty that the funding and support is (going to be) there.”

RHB is also working with FAS to organise football clinics for junior footballers aged between six to 12.

“We want to give back to the community,” said Chan. “We’ve chosen football and children as our CSR (corporate social responsibility) focus… (we hope to) promote interest in football and a healthy lifestyle.”

The involvement of foreign teams from the Philippines and Cambodia in the Singapore Cup also gives RHB a platform to reach out to overseas markets, said Luke Diep, RHB’s head of brand marketing and communications.

“This is part of our plan, to work with FAS to create excitement and bring football not only to Singapore but throughout the region as well, so I think this is one good way to really raise our (brand) awareness and involvement in football,” said Diep.

FAS assistant director for marketing and business development, Rikram Jit Singh, said the association is heartened by RHB’s continued support.

“Mike Chan and Luke Diep have both been unwavering in their support and trust in local football,” he said. “They did not hesitate (in agreeing) when we approached them earlier this year to continue their support.

“We hope to repay RHB’s trust in us by ensuring that the RHB Singapore Cup continues to be an exciting and thrilling competition as we find new ways to keep raising the level of competition.”

The RHB Singapore Cup kicks off on May 29, with 12 teams from Singapore, the Philippines and Cambodia battling for honours. Defending champions and S.League side Albirex Niigata will be aiming for a three-peat after claiming the championship trophy in 2015 and 2016.

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