Li's Mission of Pride, Joy

Incoming FAS boss hopes to unite the fraternity and drive meaningful change

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Incoming Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Forrest Li told The Straits Times on April 18 that he wants to bring pride and joy back to Singapore football.

In a media statement shared with ST shortly after FAS confirmed that his team, called Team One, are the only candidates nominated on a slate basis for the 2025-29 term, the tech billionaire and Lion City Sailors chairman said he was "grateful for this opportunity to lead the FAS council".

The 47-year-old founder of home-grown tech firm Sea added: "Football is more than just a sport. It is a powerful force for uplifting and uniting communities. A hard-fought win, an incredible goal: these are common memories that communities can cherish, feel pride in, and talk about for years, even decades.

"As council president, my mission will be to bring that joy and pride back to Singapore football."

Li's slate of nine includes lawyer and current BG Tampines Rovers chairman Desmond Ong (deputy president), and four vice-presidential candidates - Bill Ng, founder of private equity firm Financial Frontiers and chairman of Hougang United and Tiong Bahru FC; national captain Hariss Harun; Sailors general manager Tan Li Yu; and Sean Bai, chief of staff at English Championship side Burnley.