SINGAPORE –

The race for the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) leadership has intensified as Darwin Jalil, vice-chairman of Balestier Khalsa, confirmed his candidacy just hours before the nomination deadline on March 31. His entry into the fray sets the stage for a significant contest against an established contender: tech entrepreneur and chairman of Lion City Sailors, Forrest Li.

Pending verification by the FAS electoral committee, Darwin leads a diverse nine-member team aiming to challenge Li's faction. Nominations for the election closed at 6 PM on March 31, with the full list of eligible candidates to be revealed on April 18, ahead of the extraordinary congress scheduled to elect new office-bearers for the 2025-2029 term.

Li, the 47-year-old founder of tech giant Sea Limited, declared his intention to run on March 17, shortly after nominations opened, while incumbent president Bernard Tan announced he would not seek re-election a few days later on March 29.

This election cycle introduces an important framework where candidates present a slate consisting of a president, deputy president, four vice-presidents, and three council members. Additionally, individual positions for six council members will be contested separately.

In an interview with The Straits Times, 40-year-old Darwin expressed his eagerness to shepherd Singapore football towards greater success. Highlighting his two terms of experience within the sport, he stated, “Many promises made to our football community remain unfulfilled. We must prioritize developing both men's and women's football while enhancing club management across all tiers.”

"My team aims to unify the football community. For a nation as small as ours, fragmentation is counterproductive. We share a passion for the beautiful game, and unity is vital for the progress of Singapore football."

As an FAS council member since 2017 and president of the Singapore Football League Division 1 side Project Vaults FC, Darwin emphasized that without a contest, progress would stagnate: "A lack of competition for top positions would not benefit our sport."

While he has yet to disclose the complete list of candidates on his slate, sources suggest it includes former national team defender S. Subramani, communications executive Ion Danker, and ex-Woodlands Wellington general manager R. Vengadasalam. Darwin assures that his team brings a wealth of diverse insights vital for addressing the long-term challenges facing Singapore football, especially at the grassroots level.

With the election campaign heating up, Darwin plans to engage with various stakeholders across the football fraternity. "Forrest and I truly have the best interests of Singapore football at heart," he added. "As we navigate the upcoming weeks, it will emerge that our motivations align with the betterment of the sport."

However, the announcement of Darwin's candidacy surprised some within the community, including former council member Yakob Hashim, who openly supports Li. He remarked that “money tends to speak volumes in this sphere,” noting Li’s substantial contributions to the Singapore Premier League (SPL).

Lionel Lewis, another former national goalkeeper and current council member, welcomed the competitive spirit, emphasizing that varied ideas and visions are essential for the evolution of local football. “It’s fantastic to have options for affiliates to choose from,” he stated.

Historically, this election marks only the second time in FAS history that a contest for top leadership positions is taking place. The first such election in 2017 saw the late Lim Kia Tong emerge victorious.

As the foray into the elections unfolds, excitement is palpable within the football community, with many eager to see who will lead Singapore football into its next chapter.