Latest news with #ForrestLi
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chemical smell prompts NEA, SCDF inspections; Forrest Li's plan to revive Singapore football: Singapore live news
Singapore's west and central districts are experiencing a persistent burnt chemical smell that has sparked health concerns and public frustration. Residents describe the odour as similar to burning plastic or gas fumes, with some reporting nausea and headaches. The National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) have stepped up inspections of industrial estates in Jurong, Bukom, and Tuas, but no hazardous substances have been detected. Air quality remains within safe limits, and no factory incidents have been reported. Authorities suspect wind patterns may be carrying fumes from upwind industrial zones. Companies have been asked to check for undetected leaks. The investigation is ongoing. Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Forrest Li has unveiled a sweeping plan to revive Singapore football, anchored by a global search for a new head coach and a push to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Speaking at FAS Media Day, Li emphasised the need to make football a national conversation again. His four-pillar strategy includes Singapore Premier League (SPL) upgrades, youth development, infrastructure expansion, and technical reforms. SPL2 will replace the COE U-21 league, and prize money has more than doubled. Over 60 candidates have applied for the head coach role, with interviews underway. Li says he's personally committed to finding the right leader. With Singapore leading its qualifying group, the dream of Asian Cup glory feels within reach. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Singapore football gets a billionaire-backed revival plan Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Forrest Li has launched a bold campaign to restore Singapore football's pride, starting with a global hunt for a head coach and a push for Asian Cup qualification. Speaking at FAS Media Day, the Singaporean billionaire businessman said, 'We want the next coach announcement to be the talk of every dinner table.' The shortlist includes 16 candidates, with interviews underway. Li emphasised the need for more than just a good resume, he wants someone who understands Singapore's football culture and can inspire fans. The Singapore Premier League (SPL) is being restructured to raise competitiveness. SPL2 will serve as a feeder league, and foreign signings from top-tier leagues are expected to raise the standard. Clubs like Tampines Rovers and Lion City Sailors have already made high-profile acquisitions. Youth development is also a priority. FAS is aligning with the Unleash The Roar! initiative to build elite talent pipelines and expand overseas scholarships. Burnt chemical smell in Singapore sparks health fears and factory checks Singapore's west and central districts are grappling with a pungent chemical odour that's sparked health complaints and a full-scale investigation, according to local media. The smell, described as burnt rubber or fuel, has lingered since 2 August, with residents reporting nausea, headaches, and sleepless nights. The National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) have ramped up inspections of industrial zones including Jurong Island and Tuas. Air samples show no toxic substances, and the air quality is officially 'normal.' The smell appears strongest between 7am and 5pm, leading some to suspect industrial activity. NEA has asked upwind factories to check for leaks and has increased surveillance. Social media is flooded with complaints, and Reddit threads detail sleepless nights and elevator rides that feel like 'chemical chambers.' NEA says it's taking feedback seriously and will continue monitoring. Singapore football gets a billionaire-backed revival plan Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Forrest Li has launched a bold campaign to restore Singapore football's pride, starting with a global hunt for a head coach and a push for Asian Cup qualification. Speaking at FAS Media Day, the Singaporean billionaire businessman said, 'We want the next coach announcement to be the talk of every dinner table.' The shortlist includes 16 candidates, with interviews underway. Li emphasised the need for more than just a good resume, he wants someone who understands Singapore's football culture and can inspire fans. The Singapore Premier League (SPL) is being restructured to raise competitiveness. SPL2 will serve as a feeder league, and foreign signings from top-tier leagues are expected to raise the standard. Clubs like Tampines Rovers and Lion City Sailors have already made high-profile acquisitions. Youth development is also a priority. FAS is aligning with the Unleash The Roar! initiative to build elite talent pipelines and expand overseas scholarships. Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Forrest Li has launched a bold campaign to restore Singapore football's pride, starting with a global hunt for a head coach and a push for Asian Cup qualification. Speaking at FAS Media Day, the Singaporean billionaire businessman said, 'We want the next coach announcement to be the talk of every dinner table.' The shortlist includes 16 candidates, with interviews underway. Li emphasised the need for more than just a good resume, he wants someone who understands Singapore's football culture and can inspire fans. The Singapore Premier League (SPL) is being restructured to raise competitiveness. SPL2 will serve as a feeder league, and foreign signings from top-tier leagues are expected to raise the standard. Clubs like Tampines Rovers and Lion City Sailors have already made high-profile acquisitions. Youth development is also a priority. FAS is aligning with the Unleash The Roar! initiative to build elite talent pipelines and expand overseas scholarships. Burnt chemical smell in Singapore sparks health fears and factory checks Singapore's west and central districts are grappling with a pungent chemical odour that's sparked health complaints and a full-scale investigation, according to local media. The smell, described as burnt rubber or fuel, has lingered since 2 August, with residents reporting nausea, headaches, and sleepless nights. The National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) have ramped up inspections of industrial zones including Jurong Island and Tuas. Air samples show no toxic substances, and the air quality is officially 'normal.' The smell appears strongest between 7am and 5pm, leading some to suspect industrial activity. NEA has asked upwind factories to check for leaks and has increased surveillance. Social media is flooded with complaints, and Reddit threads detail sleepless nights and elevator rides that feel like 'chemical chambers.' NEA says it's taking feedback seriously and will continue monitoring. Singapore's west and central districts are grappling with a pungent chemical odour that's sparked health complaints and a full-scale investigation, according to local media. The smell, described as burnt rubber or fuel, has lingered since 2 August, with residents reporting nausea, headaches, and sleepless nights. The National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) have ramped up inspections of industrial zones including Jurong Island and Tuas. Air samples show no toxic substances, and the air quality is officially 'normal.' The smell appears strongest between 7am and 5pm, leading some to suspect industrial activity. NEA has asked upwind factories to check for leaks and has increased surveillance. Social media is flooded with complaints, and Reddit threads detail sleepless nights and elevator rides that feel like 'chemical chambers.' NEA says it's taking feedback seriously and will continue monitoring.
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Sport
- AsiaOne
Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong left out of SEA Games contingent, Singapore News
SINGAPORE – Singapore will be fielding its largest-ever contingent for the Dec 9-20 SEA Games, but high-profile names such as the national men's Under-22 football team and two-time marathon champion Soh Rui Yong have been omitted from the initial list. The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) on Aug 6 announced the first batch of athletes and teams selected for the Games, with a total of 762 athletes across 42 sports provisionally picked for the event. The national sports associations have until Aug 15 to lodge appeals for their athletes. It is understood that the Young Lions missed the initial cut as they have not produced any international results that meet the SNOC's qualifying criteria of matching the third-placed finishers of the previous edition. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) had withdrawn the team from the Asean U-23 Championship from July 15 to 29, whose results could have been used to support their nomination for the SEA Games. This would be the first time since 1969 that Singapore are not competing in the football competition at the Games. The Republic first played in the SEA Games men's football tournament in 1965 before sitting out in 1967 and 1969 – they have featured in every edition since, winning three silvers and four bronzes when it was a senior competition until 1999. When it became an U-23 tournament from 2001, the Young Lions won three bronzes in 2007, 2009 and 2013. After the age limit was further lowered to 22, Singapore have not made the podium and reached a nadir in 2023, when they finished bottom of their group and were thumped 7-0 by arch-rivals Malaysia. The Straits Times understands that the FAS will challenge the decision. It has made preparations for the U-22 side to play friendlies against the Philippines and Malaysia – both teams did not make the semi-finals in 2023 – in August to back up their appeal. On the situation, FAS president Forrest Li said at its media day on Aug 6: 'There is a selection process and certain criteria, and it's not just for football, there are a lot of sports and we understand that. What we can do now is to try our best to meet the selection criteria, and I think we still have a very decent chance (of the team competing at the SEA Games). 'We are working very closely with all the stakeholders... (who) understand it is important for our fans to see our football teams at the SEA Games, and this provides a tremendous opportunity for our young footballers. So, we will keep trying.' In athletics, two-time SEA Games marathon champion Soh was left out of the squad despite meeting the 2hr 35min 49sec qualifying mark – he clocked 2:27:49 at the Houston Marathon in January. The SNOC said in its statement: 'The SNOC selection committee has not supported the nomination of Soh Rui Yong at this stage. The SNOC has been in dialogue with Singapore Athletics regarding his nomination, and should Singapore Athletics choose to re-submit it, the SNOC will review the nomination through its appeals committee in due course. 'The SNOC reaffirms its commitment to sending athletes who not only meet the performance benchmarks but also uphold the values and behaviours expected of Singapore's national representatives. Representing the nation is both a privilege and a responsibility that demands sporting excellence and exemplary character.' Soh, Singapore's fastest marathoner (2:22:59) who won gold in 2015 and 2017, was also not selected for the SEA Games in 2019 and 2022, as well as the 2018 Asian Games, following clashes with the SNOC. The SNOC previously noted that Soh's conduct and behaviour 'have continued to fall short' of the standards it expects of and holds its athletes to. In athletics, double SEA Games marathon champion Soh was left out of the squad despite meeting the 2hr 35min 49sec qualifying mark – he clocked 2:27:49 at the Houston Marathon in January. PHOTO: Soh Rui Yong However, he was picked for the 2023 SEA Games, where he did not compete in the marathon but won the 10,000m silver in Cambodia. He then missed the Asian Games in 2023 for failure to 'honour commitments which he had provided to the SNOC, including on occasions following his participation at the Cambodia 2023 SEA Games', as the organisation noted that he had 'continued to make disparaging and derisive remarks about others in the public domain'. Thanking Singapore Athletics president Lien Choong Luen and deputy general manager Bastian Dohling for attending to the matter, Soh, who turned 34 on Aug 6, said: 'I'm currently enjoying my birthday and not worrying about SEA Games selection. I'll leave it to Singapore Athletics to do the necessary, our association has been great and nothing but helpful.' Other than the Young Lions and Soh, the national polo and woodball teams, as well as men's volleyball team were not selected for the upcoming SEA Games. Additional reporting by Deepanraj Ganesan This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
CNA
2 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Forrest Li on Singapore football: ‘The moment nobody talks about it ... that's the end'
SINGAPORE: Having stepped up to the top post in local football, new Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Forrest Li has much on his plate. Among his priorities are the preparations and operations for the national team, the competitiveness and appeal of the Singapore Premier League (SPL), youth development and infrastructure. But ultimately, Mr Li, who is the owner of Lion City Sailors, wants local football to be a talking point as well as a source of pride and joy once again. "For each individual, we have different expectations ... a different way to interpret success," said Mr Li. "If football can bring us and bring the whole society a bit more ... joy and pride - I would define that as success." Mr Li pointed out that in the past, there was a sense of national pride in Singapore football. "It's happened in history ... 20, 30 years ago, football was indeed the pride and joy for every Singaporean. We want to make that happen again," he added. He was speaking during the Football Association of Singapore's (FAS) media day at Shangri-la Singapore which marked his council's 100 days since taking office. Mr Li was elected FAS president in late April and succeeded Bernard Tan as the association's chief. He is more than aware of the task at hand. "We have the best city planning, the best airport, best highways. A lot of things are world-class - why not football?" said Mr Li. "I know it's a moonshot, it's a long journey. At this moment, we're not talking about world-class, we're really left behind ... but this is something (where) I see the gap. I want to contribute, I want to make (an) effort." While people have different views, what would be most worrying is that if Singaporeans are apathetic about local football, Mr Li said in his opening remarks. "People have very, very different views (on) what should be the right thing to do ... what would be worst is that nobody talks about it," he said. "When the customers still comment on a certain restaurant, that's a good thing for the restaurant. The moment nobody talks about it, nobody wants to go ... that's the end of the restaurant." Mr Li's hope is that with success on the field, more people will follow local football and that interest will grow. Singapore are currently 159th in the world rankings. "Eventually what I hope is people really care, and football becomes a part of people's daily life and it becomes part of a regular family dinner table topic, I think that will be a win for whoever cares about football," he said. SHOWING "PROGRESS" AND "PRODUCT" A Singapore citizen who was born in China, Mr Li is best known as the founder of the Sea Group – the technology giant behind retail platform Shopee and gaming platform Garena. Media company Forbes estimated Mr Li's wealth at about US$9.3 billion. In 2020, Sea acquired one of Singapore's most successful football clubs, Home United, and rebranded the team as the Lion City Sailors. The team has gone on to achieve myriad successes on the pitch with the company's financial backing. Most recently, the Sailors pulled off the domestic league and cup double in the 2024-2025 season and made history by becoming the first team from Singapore to reach the final of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two – where they ultimately fell 2-1 to United Arab Emirates side Sharjah FC. But it was after the Singapore U-22 team's 0-7 hammering by Malaysia in the 2023 SEA Games that Mr Li first thought of running for the top post. "I know this matters a lot to a lot of people, to the public and people care about football. But that is exactly the reason why I decided to step up to take this job," he added. Mr Li added that he had been thinking about ways to contribute to Singapore. "I appreciate football. For my life, football brought me a lot of excitement, a lot of experiences. At the same time, I really have that same appreciation for Singapore - for my career, for my journey in business, Singapore gave me everything," he said. "I always think - what can I give back to Singapore society?" Mr Li said that he hoped to apply best practices from his corporate role and pointed out that there are similarities. "We are the underdog ... We are in that position where (we are) not the incumbent in the region for football," he added. Asked if he would be open to tapping his own resources, Mr Li said he was "open-minded". "Resources are very, very important ... I'm more open-minded. We have this mission and if money can help, we'll find a way to make that happen," he said. At the same time, he stressed that local football must meet a certain quality for investment to follow. "We need to show the progress and we need to show the product. And we need to show that football can really draw the attention, bring the happiness, bring the pride to society ... Money will follow the attention, money will follow the pride, and money will follow the joy," Mr Li said. He pointed out that at the global level, more money flows into sport. "Singapore football, because of the past several decades, the lack of investment and the lack of attention, we are not ready for that. What we are trying to do is that we need to improve our own quality first," added Mr Li. One of the first things Mr Li will need to tackle is the hiring of a new men's national team head coach. In June, FAS announced Tsutomu Ogura's resignation as head coach of the Singapore national team due to personal reasons. Ogura, who was appointed in February last year on a two-year contract, needed to return to Japan for "pressing personal matters", said the association. This leaves Singapore looking for its fourth national coach in six years, and FAS has appointed Gavin Lee, former head coach of BG Tampines Rovers FC, as the interim replacement. "It's not necessarily that the more expensive coach will be the better coach, or in our case the coach (with the better fit). In our selection criteria, we don't really put a cap and say we are only looking for coaches that cost us this much," said Mr Li. 'I hope one day, when we announce the next national team coach, that will be the conversation at every dinner table in every house that evening in Singapore." The recruitment process is still ongoing and FAS has received 67 proposals for the role. The association subsequently shortlisted 16 individuals with 10 selected for interviews so far. "It's important to really know the person. We cannot just make a decision by the resume," said Mr Li. "For the finalists, when we have the serious candidates we consider ... if I need, I will go wherever in the world to meet them and I will invite the candidate to come to Singapore to spend the day with a lot of our people ... to get to know each other." The short-term goal is for the men's national team to qualify for the Asian Cup, said Mr Li. And the FAS is committed to providing them the necessary resources to do so, he stressed. This includes a financial incentive structure where players' win bonuses have been tripled and local training allowances almost doubled, said FAS deputy president Desmond Ong in a presentation later in the evening. Singapore are currently top of their third-round qualifying group on goal difference, with four points after their first two matches. The Lions are ahead of Hong Kong on goals scored, with Bangladesh third and India bottom. Each of the six group leaders will qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup, and the Lions will return to competitive action with a double header against India in October. "We are leading the group and this is important. This matters a lot to me personally, to the council, and we take the national team's performance very seriously," said Mr Li. "We'll try everything we can do to try to qualify." Ultimately, taking Singapore football in the right direction needs the effort of an entire ecosystem, said Mr Li. "I believe I'm the right man. This is kind of the reason I decided to step up. I understand this is a huge commitment and that this is a long-term commitment. And I will try my best," he said.
CNA
3 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
10 names selected for interviews for national football head coach position
Ten names have been selected for interviews for the role of Singapore's next national football head coach. This is after 16 were shortlisted. Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Forrest Li says it is important for his team to get to know them. Aug 6 marks the 100th day of the new FAS Council. Mr Li adds that another primary focus is improving standards of the men's national side. Alif Amsyar reports.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
New Lions coach will be one we are proud of, vows FAS president Forrest Li
SINGAPORE – As Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Forrest Li marked his 100-day milestone in the organisation on Aug 6, the billionaire wants local football to be a talking point at dinner tables and coffee shops again. While Singapore football has been in the doldrums in recent times, the chief executive officer of technology conglomerate Sea hopes to rekindle interest among fans. And a big part of that goal could be achieved with the hiring of a successful national coach and a historic qualification for the Asian Cup, said Li. On April 28, the Singaporean entrepreneur was elected president for a four-year term alongside a slate that included lawyer and former BG Tampines Rovers chairman Desmond Ong (deputy president) and four vice-presidents. Top on his priority list is hiring a head coach to replace Japanese Tsutomu Ogura, who resigned on June 24. The Straits Times previously reported that over 60 candidates had expressed interest in the job, including the likes of Italian icon Fabio Cannavaro, former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, former Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach Nick Montgomery, and ex-Thailand national team head coach Mano Polking. Speaking to media at an engagement session at the Shangri-La Hotel on Aug 6, Li said: 'People do have very strong opinion of that (the head coach), but that's fine, and I think what will be the worst, and what I really want to avoid is that even when we make an announcement, nobody cares. 'I hope one day, when we announce the next national team coach, that will be the conversation in every dinner table at every house that evening in Singapore. That is the moment, where for all of us that love Singapore football... will be proud of. 'We have a lot of interest, but we also want to get the right people... and I'm personally committed to fly around the world. It's important to really know the person and we cannot just make a decision by his resume.' Li, who reportedly has a net worth of US$8.6 billion (S$11.3 billion) and is third among Singapore's richest in Forbes' annual list of global billionaires, attended the Aug 6 session alongside FAS council members, Singapore Premier League club officials, FAS staff and key members of the Unleash the Roar! national football project. Officials from the Asean Football Federation were also in attendance. In a short presentation at the session, Ong revealed the FAS has received a total of 67 applications for the head coach role, with 16 candidates shortlisted and 10 selected for interviews. He also shared that some of the key criteria that the FAS is looking at includes a proficient level of English, and for the coach to have a history of managing teams challenging for or who have won titles, managing teams in major games or competitions, and an extended tenure in a club or federation. In the interim, former BG Tampines head coach Gavin Lee will lead the Lions against India in back-to-back Asian Cup qualifiers in October. If the new coach is hired after that, he will likely lead the national side in an away Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong in November. Singapore are top of their Asian Cup qualifying Group C on goals scored, ahead of Hong Kong (four points), Bangladesh and India, who have a point apiece, leaving them potentially four positive results away from a maiden qualification for the continental showpiece. Only the group winners will advance to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. Singapore have never qualified for the Asian Cup on merit, with their only appearance coming as hosts in 1984. In a bid to boost team performance and morale ahead of the Cup matches, the FAS announced on Aug 6 that its new management team have introduced several financial incentives. These include tripling the bonus for match victories, and nearly doubling the daily local training allowance. Li added: 'From a competition perspective, definitely the single most important one is the Asian cup... our goal is to win the group and qualify. 'I think that will be history making. If we have that achieved, I would love to invite everybody back here, and we should have a big celebration party.'
