Moving The League Closer to the Fans via Transport Innovations ...

(L-R) FAS VP Lim Kia Tong inked the deal with SMRT Commercial's Dawn Low

The ongoing buzz surrounding the S.League continues when the local transportation system also gets involved following the announcement of the partnership inked between the League and SMRT Commercial in a ceremony held this afternoon which was graced by the presence of luminaries such as FAS president Zainudin Nordin, S.League CEO Lim Chin and SMRT Commercial Managing Director Dawn Low.

Under this new three-year partnership, the promoting and the drive for greater awareness of the League will leverage extensively on SMRT transport network with initiatives like having "meet-and-greet” sessions between players and fans to be held at venues offered by the transporting giants' retailing network such as Raffles Xchange, etc. are on the pipeline.

To mark the occasion, a train specially plastered with images of various players from the participating teams, was launched in conjunction with the press announcement and signing ceremony that took place at the same train.

Jermaine Pennant is known to take MRT ride frequently 

A number of players who were featured in the plastering took the opportunity to have their names signed on those images and pose for media during the session.

One of those who spotted his image inside the train was Geylang International defender Al-Qaasimy Rahman (who posed for the picture below.)

"It's always funny to see yourself being posed somewhere in the public." said the former LionsXII right-back, "But it's also an honour and nice at the same time (to be one of the featured),

"Sorry, I can't get you a marker to sign..."

"Definitely, this is a big move in getting me and rest of Singapore football on the centre stage by gathering more media attention which I think is going the right direction in gaining more support for the S.League."

“For the start, we have this train with images of players from various teams to mark the occasion today," said Ms Low on the specially plastered train. "As we go forward we are looking into utilizing our other resources like buses, station platform indicators that will show images and highlights of matches to promote the S.League.” .

“This partnership is in line with our CSR in promoting local sports, as we know football is a popular sport in Singapore and it's also to support the government’s initiative to make public transport something enjoyable through these innovations in engaging our commuters.” she added.

Players from various clubs posed for this photo opportunity

Lauded the groundbreaking partnership that took a year to finalize, S.League CEO Lim Chin hopes this will open a new chapter in having more local corporate entities to support the country's only professional sports league.

Said Lim:"I hope with this partnership, it will open up doors to have more local companies like SMRT to come in and support the S.League."