S’pore sports fraternity hopes more will step up after SEA’s $50 million donation

SINGAPORE – The local sports fraternity has hailed technology company Sea Limited’s $50 million donation to develop Singapore football, with many hoping that the move will inspire others to invest in local sport.

The donation – the largest-ever from a company for local football – was announced just ahead of the Lions’ dead-rubber Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on March 31.

Singapore Hockey Federation president Mathavan Devadas said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the news and is hopeful that it will have a trickle-down effect.

“I hope that it will motivate other companies to commit sponsorship or donations to other sports,” he said. “There are many areas of any sports ecosytem which could use similar support. Anything that would assist our national players to train more and get better exposure helps.”

Singapore Floorball Association president Ben Ow added: “Forrest Li has consistently shown his commitment to football development and this move reflects his long-term belief in growing the sport. It’s very encouraging to see a national sports association (NSA) receive this level of support to elevate the sport.

“Increased funding allows associations to execute plans more effectively and accelerate development initiatives already in the pipeline. From our perspective, we certainly hope this inspires more corporates and sponsors to recognise the value of investing in sports and that it creates a positive ripple effect across other NSAs.”

Calling the move “highly commendable”, Singapore Athletics (SA) president Lien Choong Luen noted that it “reflects Forrest’s personal dedication and true passion for football over many years”.

He added: “I hope that more companies can similarly step up to adopt a sport – not just with funding but also supporting athletes post their competing years. The money to build pathway development will go a long way to improving football.”

Given the values and benefits that sport can offer, it can serve as an attractive proposition for potential investors and donors, he stressed.

In the last two years, SA has brought in big sponsors as a result of its athletes’ successes and Lien has previously said that it is looking for more strategic partners to support its cause and help fund grassroots kids’ athletics programmes.

In 2024, the NSA inked a five-year sponsorship deal worth $500,000 with Income Insurance and a year later, POSB announced a multi-year partnership with the association worth $500,000 as well.

Lien said: “As has been in the news recently – sports is a serious business requiring lots of investment to do well. But I believe that Singapore can put in that necessary investment because the returns to our people on health, on quality of resilience, teamwork, fighting spirit and national pride far outweigh the costs.

“Track and field is similarly stepping up our fund-raising efforts to support our athletes, several of whom have put their careers on hold to pursue the sport full time without income.”