BY MELVIN SINGH
Nov 6, 1998

OWE money, pay money. Or else...

That about sums up the stern circular the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) sent out to at least nine of the 11 S League clubs.

Sources said the clubs owe more than $200,000. And if the clubs don't pay up?

Well, as of Dec 1, the lights, among other things, would go off at the stadiums. From then on, to use the facilities, the clubs would have to pay in advance.

Several club officials claimed the costs incurred were unavoidable.

"Our schoolboys and part-time players can only turn up around 6 pm. So we have to train under lights," said a Woodlands official.

On average, a club is billed around $2,000 a month for floodlights, groundsmen and even the booking of the pitch. One match under floodlights will set a club back some $200.

But even when they train during the day, the pitch is not for free.

Because there are hiring charges. Even though they may be the club's home ground, they are still public facilities.

What is the alternative?

Said the Woodlands official: "We can't train at the neighbourhood schools because the pitches are not in good condition. Players can get injured."

FINANCIAL HEADACHE

Tanjong Pagar's Richard Woon admitted the training sessions under lights added to his club's financial headache.

Sources said the club's predecessor, Tiong Bahru, is the biggest culprit, owing SSC about $100,000.

And it started running up a debt even before the S League was launched.

"Sometimes, money is short and we have cash flow problems. So we use the money to pay the players' salary," said Woon.

S League's Chris Chan said a meeting is being planned for club representatives and officials from SSC to resolve the matter.

DO IT BEFORE 2000

THE clubs have up to Year 2000 to settle the debt. But they're not off the hook.

SSC wants them to come up with concrete plans on how they plan to settle their bill. If not, they will have to pay up first before they can use the facilities.

Each club pays, through the S-League, $30,000 for the use of the pitch for the whole season. It covers 20 sessions a month and exclusive use of the pitch on match day.

All these are covered under the main contract. The costs the clubs incurred are above and beyond that contract - overtime pay for SSC staff, standby electricians, floodlights and the use of the pitch beyond 20 sessions.