June 1, 2004

Concerned with players diet, Japanese club Albirex Niigata have decided to open a eatery

Albirex Niigata announced they will open a stall serving Japanese food in the Jurong East heartland. Albi-House, a stall in Zhulin Coffeeshop, located along Jurong East, Street 31, has been serving the Albirex Niigata players for over a week already, & will be opened to the public within the next few days.

Initially, the White Swans had tried catering food for their squad, as well providing meal allowances for the players but catering was expensive & troublesome, while giving allowances meant that the club could not control our players' diets.

With Albi-House, the club can control the time that they have their meals as well as their calorie & fat intakes.

Albirex Niigata players in Singapore follow the J-League recommendation that players take around 4,500 calories a day A typical set meal for the players includes miso soup, salad, rice or noodles and a main dish, which could be anything from grilled unagi (eel) to tempura ebi (shrimp). Soup, salad & rice are all free-flow.

The food is prepared by former Westin Hotel chef Eddie Lee & has been given the thumbs-up by the Albirex Niigata players.

Controlling the players' diet is a concept that is just starting to take root in the S-League. Besides Albirex, 2 clubs that regularly provide food for their players are Sinchi TV FC and the Young Lions.

Albirex club manager Bogdan Brasoveanu says it is a step that all clubs should take but he understand finances are tight at many clubs. Still providing a diet catered for professional players would be a great step for Singapore football. It is a big investment, but the long term objective of providing a professional environment for the players is worth the risk & effort according to Bogdan Brasoveanu

Albi-House is at Block 345, Jurong East Street 31 & will be opened to the public on June 3.