SINGAPORE — Veteran football coach Jita Singh has resigned as Senior Head of Game Development at the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to pursue other opportunities, the national sports association announced in a media release tonight.

The 65-year-old, who joined the FAS in 2007 as Head of Grassroots Development, spent the past seven years reforming and enhance the youth development structure in Singapore. He also oversaw other areas in the FAS such as women’s football, the FIFA Grassroots Course, Coaching & Development, the National Football Academy (NFA), as well as Club and Junior COE (Centre of Excellence).

FAS General Secretary Winston Lee said: “Jita is a key member of our team which has, in recent years, implemented key programmes aimed at facilitating the development of footballers from a young age, and the introduction of the National Football Syllabus which serves as a guide for coaches in Singapore.

“In fact, the endorsement of our youth development programmes by senior international football officials would not have been possible without the commitment and hard work of our colleagues including Jita.

“We would like to thank Jita for his contributions to both the FAS and local football and we wish him well in his future endeavours. He has also informed us of his desire to serve as a volunteer and we certainly look forward to his continued involvement in Singapore football.”

Jita said in the media release that the past few years had been particularly rewarding for him.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to be part of the team tasked to devise and subsequently implement the FAS Strategic Plan, of which youth development is a key component,” said the veteran coach who led Singapore to Malaysia Cup glory in 1980, as well as two South-east Asian Games silver medals (1983 and 1989).

“That the abilities of our boys and teams at recent competitions, including the Lion City Cup, have caught the attention of international officials is a clear indication that the on-going implementation of our programmes has yielded results.

“Actually, we have done well in most of the areas spelt out in the Strategic Plan although I must add that more resources including funding and facilities - are required in order for us to reach the next level.”

The FAS said that it is now shortlisting candidates to fill Jita’s position, and that an announcement on the appointment will be made soon.