SINGAPORE – Almost two weeks after Team LKT unveiled their manifesto for the upcoming Football Association of Singapore (FAS) elections, rivals Team Game Changers have revealed their own plans.

Led by Hougang United chairman Bill Ng, the team pinpointed seven key areas for massive improvement at a press conference at the Fullerton Bay Hotel over the course of three hours.

The nine-member slate took turns to speak about proposals regarding administration, technical aspects, facilities, talent scouting, commercial activities, players’ medical care and competitions.

These included paying more attention to the development of the National Football League, implementing a promotion-relegation system, preventing and treating injuries more efficiently, opening up more football pitches and making them more accessible to the public, as well as a stronger focus on women’s football.

Ng, a businessman and corporate rescue specialist, highlighted the strong need for brand equity in Singapore football and emphasised that the current model of clubs receiving annual financial handouts and subsidies are outdated.

“We need to open up more channels for revenue generation but critically, we need to build football’s brand equity as our first priority,” he said.

“With a strong brand equity, there will be stronger levels of support from sponsors, and with stronger sponsorships, clubs will be able to get players and strong support systems.

“I have been talking to Chinese groups, some of (those) in the Chinese Super League are interested in us…but we are trapped (in this current ecosystem).”

While the changes cannot happen overnight, deputy presidential candidiate Lau Kok Keng, asserted that his team should be given a chance to carry their plans through to fruition.

“Singapore football is in a sad state of affairs because of a lack of strong leadership,” said the former Geylang International vice-chairman who is a partner with law firm Rajah & Tann.

“We have no track record (of any of us being previously involved in FAS) but that is not a bad thing. Each of us have been involved in sports administration and management and in a very significant way too.

“The change that Singapore football needs is not just about leadership style, but about substance (too); you have a much better chance of seeing real and substantial change with a new team in charge.”

TEAM GAME CHANGERS’ MANIFESTO: KEY POINTS

Administration

* Review all current roles and expenditure in FAS, appoint people with the right skills to the right roles

* To be as lean and as efficient as possible

* Complete transparency in the allocation of funds

Technical

* Technical staff at all levels to have access to world-class resurces, and be funded for coaching developmental programmes

* Develop pool of professional referees

Competitions

i. S.League

* Aim for a 12-14 team league

* Clubs to be financially self-sustaining

* Fresh commercial approach to finance clubs and attract sponsors

* Coaches and player salaries to be gradually raised

* Draw back fans through rebranding and marketing

ii. NFL

* Raise status by having NFL representation on FAS NFL Committee

* NFL personnel to participate in FIFA/AFC/IOC courses

* Prepare top clubs for promotion to S.League with funds saved from S.League subsidies

* Seed money to NFL clubs; assistance in securing pitches

* Extend Player Care concept to clubs

* Increase prize money for clubs

* Re-introduce Singapore Business Houses League to get companies involved in football

iii. Women’s football

* Generate more interest in women’s game in ITEs, polys and other institutions

* Encourage Ministry of Education to start more CCA clubs for women’s football

* Help clubs set up women’s division

* Train more women coaches, referees, referee assessors and match inspectors

* Host more international tournaments

* Win SEA Games medal in near future

Player Care

* New decentralised medical infrastructure to ensure players receive greater depth of care in shortest time

* Insurance coverage for all footballers

* FAS-sponsored internal and external courses to help prepare players for post-football careers

Talent scouting

* Expand scouting network

* Establish National Training Centre for all age-groups and sexes

* Review of current youth development system

Commercial

* FAS to actively secure commercial partnerships with clubs to ensure sustainability

* Establish department to advise clubs on business, commercial and financial issues