[ad_1]
SINGAPORE: Eight local clubs in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) will share four stadiums as part of a new initiative to consolidate resources and enhance the fans' experience in games, said Tuesday FAS (Football Association of Singapore – FAS) (19 February).
Home United and Balestier Khalsa share Bishan Stadium, Young Lions and Hougang United, Jalan Besar Stadium, Albirex Niigata and Warriors FC, as well as Tampines Rovers and Geylang International Clubs, Our Tampines Hub.
Foreign club Brunei DPMM, based in Bandar Seri Begawan, will continue to play their home games at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
S addressing reporters, FAS general secretary Yazeen Buhari said the stadium optimization plan would allow the four sites to be more "football-centric". This is also part of the master plan of the Ministry of Culture, Communities and Youth.
"There is a consolidation of resources so that each of these four stadia focuses on football-only programs – more focused on football," he said.
"Second, when you have a stadium of this type with an infrastructure upgrade, this creates more opportunities for business optimization for the clubs."
IMPROVEMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE
The move is "semi-permanent," Yazeen added. He cited the example of the Punggol Regional Sports Center, which will be built soon, that a club like Hougang could possibly call home on time.
Infrastructure work will be completed at all four stadiums, including sound and system console upgrades, high-speed Internet for live broadcast, and bucket seats in the stands.
Other improvements include 9.6m x 5.7m Jumbotrons installed in Jalan Besar, Bishan and Jurong East stadiums, as well as banners and LED screens installed outside the stadiums to hold them. fans informed about upcoming matches.
The upgrade work has begun, the FAS said.
FIFA's 2-star football pitch at Our Tampines Hub features a 5,000-seat stadium. (Photo: Rachelle Lee)
Although fans fear that stadium sharing will result in the loss of the identity of local football, Yazeen noted that clubs would continue to train in their existing stadiums and continue their work. community involvement.
One day before the day of the match, the clubs will train at the place of the match. They will have their own locker rooms in the same room.
"With the shared stadium initiative, questions have arisen about how Hougang will evoke the community, for example … knowing that Hougang is moving to Jalan Besar," he said.
"But to a certain extent, we can find solutions to this problem, because in the end, the shared stadiums are competition venues, where they operate as a club, their identity is always present, where they were all the time. . "
FAS also met supporters groups such as Hougang Hools last December to dispel concerns, said Yazeen.
"These are legitimate concerns because they have always been present at the Hougang stadium and every game," added the secretary general.
"They have some connection to the place, but we explained to them that this investment in shared stadiums was aimed at improving the day's experience." Given the existing infrastructure in the stadium, Hougang, he was seen as an alternative. " probably less attractive than doing it at Jalan Besar.
"We also, to a certain extent, explained that it was not a permanent change, you need some overlap of timeline in order to complete the public stages. "
POSITIVE SIGNS FOR THE FUTURE
Yaseen said the FAS is targeting an average attendance of 2,200 spectators per game this season, rising from an average of about 900 people in 2017 to 1,800 per game last year.
"It may not sound like huge numbers … but if you look at stadiums that have an average of 3,000 spectators, we had a positive view of 1,800, of course, we would like to see that increase." , he added.
There was also a total audience of 1.17 million viewers for the 98 league games broadcast live last season.
The league underwent a major overhaul last season with a name change from S.League to Singapore Premier League, as part of efforts to revive its fortune, 22 years after its founding.
As part of its focus on youth, it imposed age quotas, which required all SPL local teams to have nine teams, with the exception of Young Lions, to have at least six local players. under 23 in their ranks.
At least three of them had to be named in the starting lineup for all league games. If a player under 23 is replaced in the first period, he must be replaced by another player under 23 years of age.
This move has resulted in an almost 20% increase in the number of local U23 players registered to play in the league, said FAS. Excluding Young Lions, U23 players accounted for 30.4% of the league, compared with 13.6% the previous season.
Adam Swandi (left) of Albirex Niigata (left) takes a decisive step in a Singaporean Premier League match against the Young Lions. (Photo: Matthew Mohan)
The Japanese team Albirex Niigata, who was forced to recruit two local players last season, will be mandated to sign four this season.
They are also required to start a minimum of two local players, which must be played throughout the first half of a match.
"Even before last year, Albirex had always let us know that his aspirations were to develop more players in Singapore, which we were very happy to hear," Yazeen said.
"This year, they had to sign four but they have signed six so far, they want to build an Albirex team around the Singaporeans."
The Japanese squad has swept all the trophies offered in the Singaporean national league since 2006, ending last season's undefeated campaign.
However, Yazeen refuted suggestions that this measure was intended to give local clubs a boost.
"The inclusion of Singaporean players in training this year is not part of the desire to make them less dominant," he said.
"We want Albirex to be an environment where young Singaporeans can learn, and it's something that they (Albirex) really wanted to undertake as well."
While local clubs can only sign two foreign players last season, they will be allowed to sign another foreigner under 21 this season, revealed Yazeen.
"One of the thought processes is to see how we could bring back the Foreign Talent program," he said. "Bringing these players under 21 does not mean we want to make foreign talent, but it gives us the opportunity to see young foreign players who might want to make a career in Singapore."
READ: "I've already learned Singapore's national anthem": South Korean footballer Song wants to sing a new tune
Home United player Song Ui-young, of Home United, said there had been "very positive developments" as his candidacy had been reviewed by the relevant ministries.
"It's not just because he's playing pretty well for his club and that the FAS sees his strength and added value that he could bring in if he was a Singaporean … But from the point of view of the ministry, they also see him as someone who is very much anchored here in Singapore, "he added.
The league is expected to begin in early March, with a curtain-raiser on February 23 when defending champion Albirex Niigata will face Home United in the Community Shield.
Source link
