November 5, 2004

After the S-League Strategic Business Unit (SBU) announced that Paya Lebar Kovan will be the latest club to join the S-League from next season, the Hougang-based side have wasted no time in assembling a team.

Paya Lebar Kovan have drawn up a target list of 30 players as they prepare for life in the S-League next season. The list is made up largely of players who have not yet been signed by any of the S-League's 7 other local teams.

Paya Lebar Kovan have also been hunting a quartet of foreign players from either China or Vietnam.

The club's management committee member Steven Lee said they have identified a list of 30 local players who have not yet been taken by the other clubs. As for the foreigners, they are looking at players from China & Vietnam because they want players who are of good quality & well-motivated.

Asked if finances would be a problem since 5 local clubs had pulled due to lacked of funds

Paya Lebar Kovan chairman Tay Yeong Kwee said he does not foresee any problems with the finances, as they already have 4 to 5 sponsors lined up.

Steven Lee added they had secured pledges of $50,000 each from 2 grassroots leaders & the club are also negotiating with a main sponsor. It is believed the sponsor could be from the entertainment industry.

With the finances also settled, it is clear the main problem is players as there are concerns whether Paya Lebar can field a team of sufficient quality next season with top local players already snapped up by other clubs.

The chairman Tay agreed that the top local players already have clubs but it is all right with them. They have identified some players who fit the qualities they are looking for & the players they want must be hungry, hardworking & hell-bent on achieving success. Also he added they are not here just to make up the numbers. They are going to work hard to finish in a respectable position. They have to get players fast & offer them satisfactory salaries before they look for other clubs but much will depend on sponsors so while the technical committee begin searching for good players, the financial committee must work even quicker to pull in the money.

Finally the last problem would be the coaching front & ex-international R. Suriamurthi & Ho Kwang Hock have been tagged to be the head coach.

To that Lee revealed club is keeping its options open on that front as it could be a local coach, or it could be a foreign coach, but they want a coach who connects strongly with the players & is able to motivate them well.

The other S-league clubs welcomed Paya Lebar's entry. Tampines Rovers chairman Teo Hock Seng – It’s nice to see another local club replacing Tanjong Pagar. I welcome them and wish them good luck. Win or lose, I hope they'll stay.' Balestier Khalsa chairman Balbeer Singh - 'While it's sad to see Tanjong Pagar sitting out, it's good news that another local side is coming in. This will enable soccer to grow, as there might be new enthusiasm from a new side. Maybe, they can also provide impetus for fresh interest in the League.

The team will play at Hougang Stadium next year & Lee, the chairman of Paya Lebar Constituency Sports Club, is keen to tap on the strong community support for football in that area.

He said they will definitely be continuing their programmes like the children's football league & age-group tournaments. Community support is very important to them now that they are in the bigger picture of the S-League, their grassroots people are very excited & keen to do well.

Aljunied GRC MP & Paya Lebar's adviser Cynthia Phua fully agreed saying their long-term focus is not only to play professionally, but also to groom the younger ones & to contribute at the grassroots level.