March 29, 2004

He is 1 of the more prominent faces of Singapore football & not one to shy from appearing in a football jersey, shorts & boots, Football Association of Singapore deputy president Ho Peng Kee is also just as willing, sometimes, to let his feet do the talking.

Still when he takes over the hottest seat in Singapore football today as he succeeds outgoing Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Mah Bow Tan, he knows he is in for a rough ride.

With a football-mad public starved of international and regional success, the new FAS president is aware that criticism will come quickly if he fails to deliver results.

However the Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs relishes the challenge.

Prof Ho believes the football framework is in place, but youth development can be improved to nurture success at national level. He felt that there is a lot of talent out there but the question will be how to try and channel that talent.

1 of his other aim will be to let his passion for Singapore football convince others to follow the sport

He felt the standard of the S-league this year has improved. It is not only among the top teams, but also among those in the lower half of the table.

Now they only have to make sure they promote it.

He added that he has been an advertisement for the League, whenever he talks to friends about football.He always asked them what team & they will mention an English Premiership team.It was fine, but what about Singapore football? So he will get them engaged & persuade them to give local football a try.

He is trying to get more people to volunteer & be part of the League. It will give Singaporeans a chance to see the games first-hand & develop a relationship with the game.

But he admitted that the success or failure of the national team will also have a strong influence on whether fans want to be a part of Singapore football.

He felt the national teams will have to convince fans that they will give off nothing but their best & that means that they will have to play with a lot of passion.

In football circles, Prof Ho passion for the game is acknowledged & respected.

FAS technical director P N Sivaji say his passion is well known & he was a former player back in his university days. He also has the ability to relate to the younger players. He always comes for team events & try to speak to the players.

But more importantly, he has been privy to the major policy changes in FAS over the last few years so there will be continuity in the work which Mr Mah has done.