Jakarta Casual

When incompetence is the norm there is little the rest of us can do but shrug our shoulders and cling blindly to the fantasy that one day, perhaps we won't see that day, things will get better. A dream yes and one we must cling to but we have little else, not with the malaise that envelopes so much of South East Asian football. Yes, there are some bright spots on the field with the likes of Johor Darul Tazim, Izwan Mahbud providing some cheer but the incompetence is inbuilt on high, it is a culture, it is a cancer and it attracts only those who seek to stick their beaks in the trough.

Singapore lurches from one PR disaster to another. In 2014 there were 12 SLeague teams. This year there will be nine as the league hemorrhages sides. We lost Woodlands Wellington, supposedly merging with Hougang United but yet to happen, and Tanjong Pagar United before a ball was kicked in anger and with the promise of a stronger league for having fewer clubs we have seen foreign sides dominate the SLeague, winning all three trophies. How can this happen and people not feel embarrassed? It is like Swansea winning the Premier League, Cardiff City lifting the FA Cup and Newport County winning the League Cup. It is akin to Berwick Rangers winning however many trophies there are on offer in Scotland.

It should be clear by now of course no-one at the FAS gives a toss about the SLeague. The talk of strategic plans is just that, talk, and the reality is nothing is done to promote the league among the population. It is a shame because I enjoy the SLeague but the organisers have become such a laughing stock all the hard work being done by players and coaches is soon undone by the antics of the men in suits who make the real decisions.

Outside of Singapore no one gives a toss about the ASEAN Super League. Yet the good people at Jalan Besar are pinning their hopes on this pie in the sky to the detriment of their own league. When LionsXII were kicked out of Malaysia, was that part of the strategic plan I wonder (of course not, the FAS found out online) talk returned yet again to the great ASL myth and how the SLeague can be a feeder league for that...in the same way the SLeague acted as a feeder league for the LionsXII I guess.

With such uncertainty over the make up of the league each season, with no guarantee any club will be playing it is little wonder players are looking outside the game for job security and that should be seen as a further massive humiliation to the FAS, explicit proof they are failing in their duty to develop football.


Players like Irfan Fandi, Hassan Sunny, Izwan and Safuwan Bahrudin have done their country proud throughout 2015. It is a shame their efforts aren't rewarded by them suits who are actually responsible for the development of the local game.