New chairman aims to take Stags to the top

For the first time since 2017, BG Tampines Rovers will see a change in leadership, after lawyer Desmond Ong stepped down as chairman of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) side to make way for Japanese investment banker Shungo Sakamoto.

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Ong, 56, told The Straits Times that Sakamoto, who has been the Stags' vice-chairman since 2024 after joining the management committee in 2023, became the new chairman on June 1.

Ong will still be a member of the club's management committee.

In an interview with ST shortly after the Stags lost 1-0 to the Lion City Sailors in the Singapore Cup final at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 31, Ong said leadership renewal has been in the works as he was at the helm for almost eight years.

Ong, a managing partner of law firm Solitaire LLP, said: "I've always wanted to step away as soon as we found the right person to take over. Over the years, there have been people who have indicated their interest in wanting to come in and take over, but this was the right time and we have (found) the right person.

"In his own way, he's shown to be cerebral and passionate and he has supported local football for a number of years. So I'm very confident and comfortable that the club will be in very good hands under his stewardship."

Ong also clarified that stepping down as Stags chairman was not due to his new role with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) - in April, he became deputy president of the new FAS council for the 2025-29 term.