This article is contributed by Mr Chua Kheng Seng who wrote in to share his ideas on how to make the Singapore Premier League (SPL) a vibrant one after he read the blog post which suggested the implementation of a "play-off" system by this blog recently.
Revamping the existing local professional league system into a two-division league model may be the answer, and if interest in the league grows, we may expand the league pyramid into a three-division format so on and so for.
While some may argue Malaysia has a larger population and land area, let us take a look at the football league system in Iceland.
The Nordic island nation has a five-division league pyramid system despite having a population of less than 400,000.
Therefore, a small population or land area shall not be seen as a deterrent to having a multi-tier professional league system.
Perhaps the answer can be found in this Straits Times article on the privatisation of local football clubs.
The league organisers can consider a public tender to invite interested corporate entities to bid for the eight expansion slots in the proposed "Second Division".
Here are some of my suggestions that flash through my mind after I read a blog post by BoLASEPaKO•COM on whether a "Play-Off" system can sustain interest in the Singapore Premier League (SPL)?
As the current SPL does not have a promotion-relegation system with the rest of the local league pyramid system (i e.: Singapore Football League, Island Wide League), it may be a major stumbling block to its growth because of the absence of this convention method to determine who to play in a league.
As the current SPL does not have a promotion-relegation system with the rest of the local league pyramid system (i e.: Singapore Football League, Island Wide League), it may be a major stumbling block to its growth because of the absence of this convention method to determine who to play in a league.
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| No promotion/relegation for SPL since Day One |
LACK OF EXCITEMENT
This may result in a lack of excitement for the fans or motivation for players to perform at a certain stage of the campaign because the same teams and players are likely to remain in the league set up in the following season.Revamping the existing local professional league system into a two-division league model may be the answer, and if interest in the league grows, we may expand the league pyramid into a three-division format so on and so for.
"IF ICELAND CAN, SO CAN WE!"
Even neighbouring Malaysia has a multi-tier football league pyramid system in place.While some may argue Malaysia has a larger population and land area, let us take a look at the football league system in Iceland.
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| Iceland national team in World Cup 2018 (as credited) |
The Nordic island nation has a five-division league pyramid system despite having a population of less than 400,000.
Therefore, a small population or land area shall not be seen as a deterrent to having a multi-tier professional league system.
GET EIGHT MORE TEAMS TO EXPAND
So where can we source the expansion clubs, at least eight of them, for this move?Perhaps the answer can be found in this Straits Times article on the privatisation of local football clubs.
The league organisers can consider a public tender to invite interested corporate entities to bid for the eight expansion slots in the proposed "Second Division".
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| Lion City Sailors is the only privatised club in SPL |
The government may also help by providing "start-up" funding to these new clubs in their first year of operation.
Since fundings are provided to entrepreneurs, why not a private football club which is to function like a private limited?
With so many active "weekend warriors" playing actively on either futsal courts or school football fields every weekend, I believe some of these amateurs harbour the ambition to turn professional with these "new clubs" if given a chance to do so.
Once they are promoted to SPL from the "Second Division", they can take over the stadiums of those who are relegated (unless the stadium is already privatised and fully owned by the club).
Since fundings are provided to entrepreneurs, why not a private football club which is to function like a private limited?
With so many active "weekend warriors" playing actively on either futsal courts or school football fields every weekend, I believe some of these amateurs harbour the ambition to turn professional with these "new clubs" if given a chance to do so.
UTILISE SCHOOL FACILITIES
In regards to the match venues, I have seen some nice playing surfaces in places like local polytechnics and universities where these "new clubs" can utilise on top of renting venues from Singapore Sports Hub or other public stadiums.Once they are promoted to SPL from the "Second Division", they can take over the stadiums of those who are relegated (unless the stadium is already privatised and fully owned by the club).
- Opinions expressed may not be that of the blog owner
- The copyright of this article (except pictures) belongs to Mr Chua Kheng Seng