August 4, 2004

Frustrated fans who missed out on watching stars in the Kelme East- West Challenge Cup will be happy to know they will not have to put up with it any more. From now, the S-League is going to come down hard on clubs who do not send the players called up for such matches.

Clubs like Home United who are vying for the championship have refused the S-league request to release their players.

At a meeting among top S-League officials & club chairmen, the 10 clubs were told they face a $100,000 fine if they do not release top players for the matches. All-Star games are organised mainly to raise funds for the S-League.

S-League CEO Chan King Fook said the fans are the heartbeat of Singapore football & they must always put out the best teams to entertain them. Also he believed events such as Kelme East- West Challenge Cup will help to increase clubs' profiles & help promote S-League icons so clubs must not shy away from their duties.

When Singapore hosted the Sultan of Selangor Cup in mid-May, several coaches were already upset that their players were called up when the S-League was in full swing especially the Rams as their forward Masrezwan Masturi suffered a twisted ankle during the match & was forced to miss two games for his club.

Now with this penalty rules, there are club chairmen who are unhappy about it.

Balestier Khalsa treasurer Jagjit Singh said the league must consider the clubs interests as well as it is tough for the top teams who are still vying for the championship as any other team in a situation which they could win a championship would not risk their top players, who are also busy with national team commitments

One chairman, who declined to be named, also commented that with the league in the final stretch & the top 5 teams still in the running for the championship, it is not worth it for the clubs to send their best players & risk injury as the end result may be the top team lose out on the championship.

Also while the S-League have their commitments to sponsors the clubs themselves have the same commitments to sponsors to achieve to achieve results.

Not having the same views is Tampines Rovers director of operations R Vengadasalam as he felt it is time the S-League imposes a fine on clubs who do not send their best players as these friendly matches are played to raise funds for the S-League & the clubs so it is in the best interests of everyone to support the cause.