Lion City Sailors' Badri Ghent Appointed General Secretary of FAS

In a pivotal move for Singapore football, Badri Ghent, the sporting director of Lion City Sailors, has officially been named the new general secretary of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) as of September 1. This shift comes as Ghent steps into the role previously held by Chew Chun-Liang, who has exited after just 10 months in office.

The reasons behind Chew's abrupt departure remain undisclosed, but it aligns with ongoing efforts by FAS to find a new head coach for the national team, the Lions.

A Proven Track Record in Football Management

Ghent is no stranger to success in the sport. As sporting director since the inception of Lion City Sailors in 2020, he has been integral in leading the club to secure multiple prestigious titles, including the Singapore Premier League, the Singapore Cup, and the Singapore Community Shield. His remarkable tenure has also seen the Sailors reach the final of the AFC Champions League Two—the first Singaporean team to achieve this.

FAS highlighted Ghent’s role in cultivating a high-performance culture within the team, emphasizing his knack for recruiting top-notch coaching staff and setting professional benchmarks that elevate local football.

A Rising Star in Singapore’s Football Scene

Before his time at Lion City Sailors, Ghent made headlines as the youngest general manager in Singapore Premier League history at Home United in 2017. His journey began as team manager in 2014, where he laid the foundational work for a high-performance environment that would flourish under his leadership later on.

Confidence in Future Leadership

FAS President, Forrest Li, expressed his confidence in Ghent, stating, "With over a decade of involvement in Singapore football, Badri has an extensive understanding of our local ecosystem. His management experience—from Home United to Lion City Sailors—underscores his capability to uplift standards and build robust frameworks. We believe his leadership will be pivotal in advancing our council’s objectives, fortifying the national team, and elevating Singapore football for years to come."

The football community is keenly watching as Ghent embarks on this new chapter, hoping his vision and expertise will contribute significantly to the growth and prestige of Singaporean football.