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OUT: Steven Yeo -- ST FILE PHOTOS
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AMID much fanfare last April, Steven Yeo stepped into one of the hottest seats in Singapore sport.
Now, barely a year later, he is set to vacate it.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary has unexpectedly tendered his resignation. His last day at the Jalan Besar Stadium is March 31.
Sources said his reasons for leaving were two-fold.
First, the former deputy chief executive officer of the Singapore Sports Council between 2000 and 2005 was offered a 'very high-profile' job in the lifestyle and tourism sector. He will assume his new post from April 1.
But, more significantly, the 46-year-old was said to be privately disappointed with the lack of belief in local football both within and outside the FAS.
For instance, there are some within the FAS fold who think Singapore will not be able to make it to the fourth round of the World Cup Asian Zone qualifiers.
Said an official close to Yeo: 'Steven was never one to rest on his laurels, and always set high targets for the national team and the organisation.
'But he felt let down that many people, from fans to sponsors and even those within the organisation, thought these were not achievable.'
This is something Yeo himself hinted at, saying: 'There's a good foundation, but a lot can still be done.
'Local football needs the support of everyone to succeed, and we must all believe that high targets can be attainable.'
With no real background in football but with sports administration his main strength, Yeo's appointment last year had offered long-suffering supporters of local football the hope that Singapore could build on their 2005 and 2007 Asean Football Championship success in the long term.
For Yeo has a reputation for being a driven individual and bold visionary.
In an interview with The Straits Times in July, he unveiled his aim of qualifying for the Asian Cup Finals in 2011.
Why so ambitious a target?
Because, came the reply, 'it's not about being good, it's about being great, being better'.
This philosophy has already led to the strengthening of two key areas - grassroots development and the national age-group sides - during his short stint.
Observers say the affable Yeo's humble policy of 'asking anyone and everyone for advice' will be what the organisation will miss most when he departs.
Yeo's successor will take over at a time when Singapore are aiming to become a force in Asia.
At the request of FAS president Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Yeo has agreed to remain as honorary general secretary until June 30, when Singapore's World Cup Asian Zone third-round qualifying games end.
Although Yeo's tenure was short, local football tasted success on several fronts in the past year.
The Lions made the World Cup third-round qualifiers for the first time.
Singapore also won a bronze in December's South-east Asia Games, their first medal since football became an Under-23 event in 2001.
Sources say P. Sivakumar, the FAS' chief of development and planning, is the front-runner to take over.
Another likely contender is S-League chief executive officer Winston Lee, who along with Sivakumar, had been groomed by Koh previously for the post.
The general secretary is the FAS' top administrator, responsible for its day-to-day operations. He also helps the FAS Council develop all aspects of the sport in Singapore.
limze@sph.com.sg
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