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SINGAPORE’S highest rating worldwide soccer official Lim Kia Tong died Wednesday of a sudden coronary heart assault. He was 69.
Ranked as Deputy Chairman of FIFA Disciplinary Committee, the FAS President’s demise was utterly premature, solely only a fortnight earlier than the FAS (Soccer Affiliation of Singapore) Congress on the Raffles Nation Membership.
Kia Tong, with greater than 4 a long time of authorized apply and who headed the felony division at Hin Tat Augustine and Companions, grew to become the primary elected FAS President when his Staff LKT beat Invoice Ng’s Staff Changers (I used to be a part of this crew) in 2017. He was re-elected unopposed 4 years later and, based on soccer circles, he was anticipated to proceed the management.
Not like his predecessors just like the well-known late lawyer Nadesan Ganesan, who was credited with the “Kallang Roar” within the Eighties, or the football-playing ex-Member of Parliament Zainudin Nordin, Kia Tong got here from a low-key non-football place in 1999 as a FAS Council Member and eight years later, he rose to be the FAS Vice President.
However what shocked the fraternity was the way in which he died in his workplace, completely surprising and very uncommon for a lawyer who seldom even missed a court docket listening to. I used to be instructed when the Justice of the Peace discovered him lacking in court docket, alarm bells rang, and so they later discovered him collapsed by his workplace desk.
“He by no means confirmed any bodily setbacks and even when he had, he saved it very low key,” stated former worldwide defender Razali Saad, a FAS Vice President. “He was actually a crew participant and labored behind the scenes to raise Singapore soccer, particularly on the grassroots stage.”
LOW-PROFILE MOVES
I’ve identified Kia Tong in shut quarters, though we stood in differing groups throughout FAS elections about six years in the past. However the partisan rivalry by no means affected our friendship, as he lived as much as his rousing repute as a real gentleman. Matter of reality, the bondship grew nearer as he intently interacted with my solely son, Sanjay, then a journalist with The Straits Instances.
I recollect Kia Tong telling me that when he first met Sanjay, he was impressed together with his sharp-witted but humble manner. He later reminded him that if he may come half to his father’s journalistic reputation, he’d make a rip-roaring author. (I have to confess that I used to be actually flattered by the editorial comparability).
Personally, what I admired Kia Tong was his completely low-profile strikes as he needed to carry up soccer from the underside to worldwide ranges – which was not a starring gesture with the neighbouring ASEAN international locations whipping their solution to meet up with Asian giants like South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Former Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) common secretary Alex Soosay describes him as a “workaholic and devoted his time to soccer immensely”. He added: “He will likely be remembered within the AFC as a disciplinarian and a really strict disciple of the principles of soccer, you possibly can by no means compromise with him.”
Former SNOC Coach of the 12 months Jita Singh praised Kia Tong for his “umpteen behind-the-scenes actions to help gamers and officers”. He added: “He had no sporting hangovers, and he was at all times wanting on the constructive finish to enhance the sport, proper from the underside. He knew he was combating a really uphill problem, however he by no means moaned and groaned, however labored diligently in the direction of a long-term aim.”
In my view, Kia Tong boldly made his mark off the pitch when he lifted the life bans of ex-FIFA referee Thiru Rajamanickam, who was deregistered from the FAS Referees’ listing in 1994, over the match-fixing allegation, and nationwide striker Kannan Kunjuraman. Uncommon to daringly give them one other probability and to return to soccer, for which I do know they’re very grateful.
RAPPORT WITH CLUBS
One other feather-in-his-cap was his closest rapport with the S-League and NFL (Nationwide Soccer League) golf equipment, as he genuinely tried to muster floor help, which gave the impression to be missing in recent times. However the true technique to lifting demoralising requirements at grassroots ranges nonetheless stays a thriller.
I’d rank Kia Tong as somebody who dared to be totally different and ever ready to strive radical approaches to raise the game from the very backside as he felt, with out concern or favour, the grassroots foundations have to be bolstered, particularly at age-group ranges. This will look like a really tall order, though FAS common secretary Yazeen Buhari, a former FIFA referee, is thickly concerned in doing main spadework on the main and secondary faculties and junior faculties.
Kia Tong’s physique is mendacity on the Singapore Funeral Parlour, Stage 5A, Tulip Corridor, at 91 Tampines Hyperlink, Singapore 528746. The FAS has additionally organized for a tribute area within the FAS foyer of Jalan Besar Stadium for individuals who’d wish to pay their respects.
He could have helped to launch the ebook “ROAR” lately. However Kia Tong is aware of that his demise could not have the terrific soccer howls. However he will likely be revered as the real gentleman, who labored unselfishly behind the scenes to raise the game, as soon as unparalleled within the Seventies and 80s with the legendary “Kallang Roar” in tow.
Relaxation in peace, Kia Tong. Maintain your head excessive. You gave it your greatest shot.
The most important salutes should go to you for the discreet methods you steered the soccer ship in the precise instructions over the previous decade, and in holding Singapore’s flag on the world stage at AFC and FIFA.
The submit OPINION | FAS President has deadly coronary heart assault appeared first on The Impartial Singapore Information – Newest Breaking Information
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