When the LaLiga decided to open an office in Singapore in 2017, several industry observers were curious about their plans here and in this part of the world. In the last 10-12 years, we’ve also noticed several European football leagues and clubs, establishing regional operational bases all across Asia. And the Spanish LaLiga which is regarded as one of the top 3 professional football leagues in the world, decided upon Singapore as their regional hub for Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
2022 marks LaLiga Singapore's 5th anniversary. And looking back at the last five years, they've been involved in various activities in the city-state, such as supporting the JSSL Professional Academy 7s, where 5 Spanish youth teams participated in the tournament over two editions (2018 and 2019). LaLigaSG also helped to facilitate an opportunity for Team Singapore's national footballer Saifullah Akbar to go on trial with LaLiga 2 club, CD Tenerife. Earlier this month, Valencia CF’s youth team also participated in the JSSL Professional Academy 7s which took place at Our Tampines Hub. LaLiga Singapore also recently made the news when Singaporean teenager Denzel Ari Thrumurgan, was selected from 150 applicants from across the world, to be accepted into the LaLiga Academy in Madrid. And most significant of all, LaLiga’s role as a strategic partner in the Unleash The Roar! (UTR) project since November 2021, reiterates the Spanish organisation’s commitment to developing Singapore football.
Ivan Codina, LaLiga’s Managing Director of SEA, Japan, S. Korea & Australia, told ActiveSG Circle, "The past 5 years for LaLiga Singapore have been nothing short of amazing. We are thankful to collaborate closely with various local and regional partners in our time here in Singapore and the region. As an organisation, we are dedicated to the development of the football ecosystem across the world. In Singapore, this ambition is realised through the Unleash The Roar! project, of which LaLiga is a strategic partner. Being a part of the national project reiterates LaLiga’s longstanding commitment to Singapore’s football ambitions. From what we have seen thus far, Singaporean youths have massive potential and we want to provide them with the platform to excel. As LaLiga Singapore celebrates our 5th anniversary, we will continue to engage with LaLiga fans in Singapore even more closely in the next few months through various initiatives, to thank them for their support".
The UTR! Project was launched in early 2021 and following the lifting of the Safe Management Measures (SMMs) nationwide, the Singapore Football Academy (SFA) programme took off in July 2022. Held as part of the national football project and with coaching staff from LaLiga and German bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, the programme has attracted over 300 Secondary 1 and 2 boys from 10 secondary schools.
UTR! executive committee chairman Eric Chua told ActiveSG Circle, "Through the strategic partnership with LaLiga, we want to accelerate the development of our local football talent and strengthen our local football system. Apart from having Spanish coaches at our School Football Academies (SFAs) to guide both our young footballers and local coaches, we are also working with LaLiga to explore training and scholarship opportunities for our brightest young footballers".
Mr Chua, who is also the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth, further added, "Youth development is an integral aspect of the Unleash The Roar! project, and we are looking to create a steady pipeline of technically sound athletes who can represent Singapore. Next year, we will see our players on training stints in Europe and being exposed to more playing opportunities, such as high-level competition at the National Stadium. Unleash The Roar! is a whole-of-society effort, and we want to unite everyone with the common vision of uplifting Singapore football. This is a long-term project. With time and commitment, we hope to be able to see results".
The SFA comprises more than 25 local and international senior and assistant coaches. 1 of the head coaches is Angel Toledano Flores, who's had training stints in China, New York and Barcelona FC. "I’ve spent some time working with the SFA players. Based on my observations, the SFA players are passionate and committed to improving and gaining more skills on and off the pitch. Getting better in sport, and in any aspect of life, requires patience, dedication and the right attitude. I would say that it’s been a very promising start to the Unleash The Roar! project", said Angel to ActiveSG Circle.
Having previously coached Brazilian star striker Alexandre Pato, Angel added, "I’ve also been working closely with local coaches, teachers and sports scientists so that we can help these young footballers achieve their dreams. Our players’ education is equally important, and we want them to have an all-rounded experience at the SFAs. This is something that has always been emphasized when I was coaching youth in Spain as well, so hopefully this can also help the players in Singapore. We’re always in touch with the players, their teachers and parents, so that we can work together to support them as much as possible. The goal is to make football a part of more kids’ lives and raise the standard of Singapore football, and I’m very happy to play a part in this!"
Meanwhile, to commemorate LaLiga Singapore's 5th anniversary in the Lion City, do look out for a series of events focusing on fan and community engagement. The campaign will run from October 2022 to June 2023, when the LaLiga Santander 2022/2023 season ends. LaLiga Singapore intends to organise a live viewing of the El Clásico, the world’s most-watched match, on 16 October 2022. The match is scheduled to be held at an Asian-friendly timing and is an opportunity to bring local fans together to watch football. Amateur footballers in Singapore can also look forward to participate in a LaLiga Day Camp, where they will have the opportunity to train under LaLiga coaches based in Singapore.