Sport Singapore (SportSG) chief executive Lim Teck Yin lauded the Singapore Premier League (SPL) for getting its protocols right to complete last year's tournament without a single positive Covid-19 case.
Lim told The Straits Time yesterday: "The SPL has done very well in working hard to come back and be the first team sports league in Singapore to demonstrate how we can play safely with players, coaches, officials and fans.
"This stands us in good stead and provides lessons learnt on how we can hold other events and leagues."
It is understood preparations are ongoing for the SPL to kick off its 26th season at the end of the month, with more than 200 players and officials to undergo fortnightly testing from tomorrow.
Pending approval from Brunei and Singapore authorities, two-time champions Brunei DPMM are also set to return after sitting out last term due to travel restrictions during the pandemic.
Lim also praised sponsors like Epson Singapore, which yesterday announced an extension to its partnership with Geylang International. The new deal is worth six figures.
Lim said such collaborations with local football provide a "real marketing platform and not just corporate social responsibility".
He feels it could be a model to follow as Singapore football seeks corporate support in its bid to qualify for World Cup 2034.
He said: "It also speaks of how SPL gives international brands like Epson a platform to be able to extend their brand and build a sense of community participation...
"It allows us to explore the potential, especially when we are embarking on Goal 2034, to see how they can participate in Singapore's football aspirations and align that with their own purpose."
Despite not being one of SPL's big spenders, the Eagles qualified for this season's AFC Cup after finishing fourth behind champions Albirex Niigata, Tampines Rovers and Lion City Sailors.
At Epson's new regional headquarters at Alexandra Techno-park, its South-east Asia regional managing director Siew Jin Kiat said the Japanese company was "proud that our work with Geylang has provided more opportunities to Singapore's youth with a passion for sports... and it is deeply rewarding to see these efforts make such a difference to the lives of so many talented individuals".
Since coming on board in 2016, Epson has paved the way for Geylang to sign memorandums of understanding with the J-League's Matsumoto Yamaga, leading to exchange programmes for players and coaches. There has also been four editions of the Epson Youth Challenge, with strong support from ActiveSG, to increase grassroots and youth participation.
Geylang chairman Thomas Gay added: "The pandemic has presented many challenges, especially financial ones, to football clubs globally, and we are thankful to have this good relationship with Epson, a true supporter of local football and Geylang over the last five years."
