Lions $2m bonus can be catalyst for systemic reward structure

The $2 million personal bonus announced by Football Association of Singapore president Forrest Li following Singapore’s historic Asian Cup qualification is a double-edged sword for local football (Is Forrest Li’s $2 million bonus for the Lions good for sport?, Dec 7).

- Keith Wong

On a positive note, it operates as a powerful, retroactive validation. Because it was announced after the victory, it served as a magnificent, unexpected “thank you” recognising sacrifice and success on the team’s own terms, free from the transactional distortion of earlier-announced incentives.

Furthermore, this act signals that footballing excellence is worthy of top-tier recognition, elevating the sport’s status and creating a viable and legitimate incentive for the gruelling campaign ahead at the Asian Cup, materially aligning personal ambition with national glory.