Forrest's gumption to alter football scene

Billionaire hopes first privatised SPL club will lead to more buzz, investment in the sport

Sailors chairman Forrest Li (left) plans to defer to his technical staff when it comes to footballing decisions. He has sanctioned five-figure monthly salaries to sign the likes of former Australia assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar (below). But the bill
Sailors chairman Forrest Li (left) plans to defer to his technical staff when it comes to footballing decisions. He has sanctioned five-figure monthly salaries to sign the likes of former Australia assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar (below). But the billionaire stressed the club will be restrained in their transfers. ST PHOTOS: JASON QUAH, MARCELLIN LOPEZ
Sailors chairman Forrest Li plans to defer to his technical staff when it comes to footballing decisions. He has sanctioned five-figure monthly salaries to sign the likes of former Australia assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar (above). But the billionaire stre
Sailors chairman Forrest Li plans to defer to his technical staff when it comes to footballing decisions. He has sanctioned five-figure monthly salaries to sign the likes of former Australia assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar (above). But the billionaire stressed the club will be restrained in their transfers. ST PHOTOS: JASON QUAH, MARCELLIN LOPEZ
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Forrest Li remembers the question that would set him on the path to revolutionise Singapore football.

He and his son were picking their respective teams in Fifa 20 on the PlayStation 4 when the five-year-old turned and asked: "I want to pick Singapore, but why are they not in the game?"

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 15, 2020, with the headline Forrest's gumption to alter football scene. Subscribe