BoLASEPaKO.com - A Blog on Singapore Football

(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 an

Fans waiting patiently for their turn Not very often we would have an S.League club do something like this before the start of any season, but it is an encouraging sign. Judging from the turnout at the “Meet and Greet” session organized by Home United at the Bishan Stadium this evening which, at the same time, allowed supporters to catch a glimpse of the players' training session. Prior to the start of the first autograph session, both players and backroom staff were individually introduced to the crowds before it was adjourned to the open training session that was concluded with a match between “Team A” and “Team B” with the former scored a 4-1 victory over the latter. By then, eager fans were already formed along the stairways of the main stand for the second autograph session with new signings like Faris Ramli, Khairul Nizam, Irfan Fandi with skipper Juma'at Jantan at the first of the row on the limited edition posters that went on sale in conjunction with the even

Mr Gale Gan was formerly the Marketing and Media Executive of Tanjong Pagar United (TPUFC). He started his S.League involvement as a photographer with KallangRoar in 2007 and joined Geylang United in 2011. The following post is a contribution by him on the topic of CRM (Customer Relationship Management), which in his opinion is something has yet to make its presence in the local football industry. Fans are always a crucial part of the game (file picture) If you see happy customers returning to consume your product no matter how much it costs, it will mean your business is successful one way or another. Of course, the best combination will be having a good product and good customer relations management. Sad to say that in terms of football here, we are still very backward in that mindset. Supporters are basically the customers in football as they pay to support their clubs. Here, the people in charge seem to have totally missed that open goal and have been trying to herd sup

Mr Peter Lim (left) is planning to buy Valencia (file shot) Just what was the first reaction when you read about billionaire investor Peter Lim's plan to take over La Liga side Valencia CF ( 1 , 2 ) when our football in our own backyard is struggling to pull the much-needed funding and attention ? It's pointless and meaningless to say anything about Lim's latest foray in football scene, it is his money after all and he will decide where it deemed fit as any businessman would. So much so of keeping maintaining the "feel-good" sentiment to convince the sceptical masses, the latest move by Lim, whose significant involvement in the local sports scene is through his SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship scheme , will once again cast the spotlight on the local game administrators' ability to attract more homegrown corporate big wigs. Which I am sure more people would be appreciated to see Singapore Airlines back to the foray, instead of having Air Asia embossed acros

(This entry is based on the joint media release by the Air Asia and the Football Association of Singapore ) Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes (L) with Mr Zainudin Nordin (R) In a press conference held this afternoon at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Air Asia, world’s best low cost carrier, announced a three-year sponsorship worth $1.8 million. According to the joint media release that was issued following the event, the sponsorship includes flights for the Under-21, Under-23 and the senior national teams, National Football Academy (NFA) age-group teams and women’s team. Video Clip from TODAY "The partnership with FAS is set to provide the necessary support to the association to garner further success and raise footballing standards for all levels." as mentioned in the same release that spelt out the objective of the three-year partnership. Gracing the occasion were AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes and Mr Zainudin No

What would be your first impression? In an attempt to draw awareness to the RHB Singapore Cup tournament, that will be entering to its Quarter-Final phrase this coming week, the organizers staged a "Flash Mob" gimmick outside Chervon House (pictured above) in the Central Business District (CBD). I am not quite certain if such an act should qualify it as a "Flash Mob" with a group engaged themselves in a kick-about follow a swift dance routine. From the video clip itself (below), we can see the gimmick did draw curious looks from the passing crowds, although it was uncertain if those members of the public were aware this being a promotional gimmick for a football tournament OR for some sort of financial products for a bank? This afternoon's initiative came on top of those recent marketing moves by the league authority to entice crowds to S.League matches (i.e.: the to-be-released S.League clubs themed teddy bears and the lucky draw with a car as the

Skipper Shahril Ishak (left) and Hariss Harun hoisted the AFF Suzuki Cup Trophy  I may be wrong, but I can't recall and am not sure if the scenes at the Jalan Besar Stadium earlier were something we have not seen for years. I am not that certain when we were last crowned as ASEAN champions in both 2004 and 2007 and had something like what we saw earlier (I did remember the last victory parade at Orchard Road in 2004 did attract a similar turnout). However, what that is certain is you don't expect this to happen that often in recent years when Singapore football was in the doldrums. A snap of the fans who were there to welcome the Lions at JBS I think that was the first time since my involvement I saw fans and supporters eagerly gathered outside JBS to catch a glimpse of the Lions after the "Victory Parade" to celebrate the Lions' AFF Suzuki Cup triumph. Armed with their autograph books or another thing that can be scribed onto, these fans stretch

(L-R) Mr Korenaga (wearing new ANS's home hersey) with Mr Ashizawa In a press conference that took place this afternoon at its clubhouse at Jurong East Stadium, Albirex Niigata (Singapore) announced a new apparel sponsorship deal with "Gol." from Japan. With this agreement, the Japanese apparel supplier will be providing the outfit for the White Swans from season 2013 on a four-year deal. Speaking to the media, Albirex Niigata (S) chairman Daisuke Korenaga hopes the partnership will open up a new channel to Japanese companies as a platform to venture market outside the Land of Rising Sun. Some of the merchandise in display during the press conference "We hope to see more Japanese companies, who are keen to venture out of Japan to Asia, able to do so with similar arrangement." said Mr Korenaga. Formed in 2000, "Gol." has actively involved itself in supporting football actives in kids and students level back in Japan, according to Mr Ta

I blogged something about club merchandise based on what I saw in Australia years ago and added that there must be some essentialities that would prompt the supporters to part their cash on these items, other than showing their affiliation to the clubs they follow. This is why I implied that concept in my recent trip to Taipei, where I was there to catch two baseball games featuring the CPBL side I follow - the Brother Elephants (now known as CTBC Brothers  ** ). One of the essential items that baseball is associated with is, of course, the cap. A Brother Elephants Cap THE CAP For good reason, the eyeshade of the cap is essential in blocking off the rays from the floodlights or evening sun that might affect the vision when watching the games. The cap (pictured left) I bought at Taipei is a wire-meshed cap that is exactly the same headgear being worn by the players. The porous design of this cap actually improves the ventilation that keeps the players cool while playing the

(P.S: I have nothing against any sort of initiatives proposed by the league authority, but feel that it can do a better job in gaining the public acceptance) Picture courtesy of CPBL's 心棒球俱樂部 It all begun when I saw this promotional poster online featuring the upcoming Taiwanese' CPBL All-Star Game (top) and instantly it drawn my comparison with the photo featuring the "SuperGals" (as issued by the league authority weeks ago). The "SuperGals" (credit: FAS) A random gauge around and I asked if these two posters are being placed side-by-side which of it is likely to gain that "instant attention". Not surprisingly, the words "ALL STAR" stood in between the sluggers immediately caught the attention of those who responded . Natural instinct would make one to take a closer look at what was the CPBL poster is talking about, rather than those ladies. Using similar concept, I made use of "Halftone" , one of the many a

(This entry is based on the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore with images depicted provided by the said organisation .) Singapore, 19 June 2012 - Over the years the H-TWO-O Ultimate Champions League has grown from its early days, based on the theme that ‘football is for everyone’ to what it is today - where players from Secondary Schools, Polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education are bestowed the opportunity to showcase their talents in this free tournament and bid for one of three chancesto see Manchester United play in the English Premier League. The objective of the event includes fostering youth development and unearthing raw talent that are unnoticed, while also encouraging racial harmony by mandating teams to comprise players of diverse ethnicities. In addition, the players can also earn a chance to join the H-TWO-O Ultimate Dream Team, with emphasis on the performances of the best three players, based on their character, discipline a

(The entry is formulated from the transcript of the media release obtained via YEO'S, the makers of H-TWO-O) (P.S: The copyrights of the images depicted in this blog entry belong to YEO'S, unless stated on the images itself.) Fandi (in yellow shirt) briefs the student at the camp The June school holidays should never be a dull affair, as it's a time for students to get away from the books and out of the four walls of their classrooms to indulge themselves in fun-filled activities under the sunny skies of this island nation. With that in mind, H-TWO-O introduced its inaugural Football School Camp with Fandi Ahmad, its newly appointed ambassador at the reins. The camp was aim to give students an opportunity to learn new skills, promote team work and good sportsmanship. In this three-day football and hydration clinic that was held recently, participating students were encouraged to spend more time in the sun outdoors, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, inst

"It is hoped that given time more fans who have attended LionsXII matches at Jalan Besar will continue to go to the S-League stadiums." said S.League CEO Lim Chin in this morning's TODAY article "Sizzling action, fizzling figures" (screen grab below). courtesy of Mediacorp TODAY I really hope that I share the same optimism like what Mr Lim has envisaged, but unfortunately, I couldn't do so. The reason is very simple, if the projected "spill-over" effect on the S.League was meant to take place with the Lions XII's participation of the MSL, then why wasn't that effect took place 17 years ago or earlier? Back to those days before 1994, the semi-professional (or amateur) Premier League ran concurrently with Singapore's participation in the Malaysia Cup tournament. "I still recalled that I had to ask the drink vendor the fixture listing of games to be played at that stadium instead of flipping through the papers!" Th

I was wondering if this boy know who is this S.League footballer "in front" of him I would like to apologize for the lack of update of late due to my heavy day job workload that has been piling up in recent months (those who know me personally should know how my workplace has been under scrutiny of since last December). Anyway, just to blog a short entry here to keep the pace going (of course, not blindly for the sake of it) when I chanced upon what I saw yesterday (as pictured above) at one of the MRT stations. In this picture, we can see that this schoolboy, while waiting for the arrival of his train, is having a look at the poster in front of him that featured former national and Home United custodian Lionel Lewis. Beside the goalkeeper, other who are featured in this series of advertising campaign includes the likes of Lions XII stars Isa Halim , Khairul Amri and the legendary Fandi Ahmad . However, for those who you might have seen those posters spreading aro

Many folks will be forgiven if they thought the new season of the S.League is going to kick-off a year or so, instead of the official date given the league authority - 9th February 2012. It's not a laughing matter and consider the fact the unveiling of the CEO of the League was only done weeks ago and on the same occasion the media were only made know in larger content what are to be expected in the much touted "S.League Version 2.0". Sounded confident and well-aware of the tough task ahead, Mr Lim Chin, the newly appointed CEO opined that "everything is all in place to ensure the league get kick start." in his inaugural speech. Which many hope that would be the case and share the same optimism of the former Chief of Artillery who has been visiting clubs around the island in part of his familiarization tour . Yet, there are already grumblings on the grounds on the lack of awareness drive (except the announcement for the annual show opener - the Charit