The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has announced on Tuesday (3 January) that S.League Chief Executive Officer Lim Chin will be leaving his position on 31 March 2017 to pursue other opportunities.
Mr Lim, who was appointed S.League CEO in January 2012, said, “After helming the S.League for the past five years, I have decided that it is the right time for me to pursue other interests and opportunities.”
“It has been an exhilarating ride season after season and I would like to sincerely thank all the Club Chairmen and General Managers, as well as the Club staff, coaches and players for their great support. I have enjoyed working with the FAS Council and my dedicated colleagues at the S.League. I will definitely continue to support Singapore football and hope all stakeholders will do the same as well. I wish all the Clubs the very best for the coming season,” he added.
Mr Lim Kia Tong, the President of the Provisional Council, said, “Both parties have been in discussions for some time and while we are disappointed to lose a diligent servant of the game like Mr Lim Chin, we understand his decision to pursue other opportunities. We would like to thank him for his contributions to the S.League and we wish him all the best for the future.”
“We have requested that Mr Lim continue in his role until 31 March 2017 to oversee the kick-off of the new league season and he has agreed to do so. The FAS Provisional Council will continue to work with our stakeholders and staff to further enhance the quality of our professional league as well as other aspects of Singapore Football,” he stated.
FAS noted that following Mr Lim’s departure, Mr Kok Wai Leong, S.League Director of Operations, will oversee the operations of the league.
Mr Lim was formerly an officer in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) who held the rank of Colonel (COL) and was also the former Chief of Artillery.
Earlier in Nov 2014, Mr Lim was criticised for his tone and language used at a meeting to announce that Tanjong Pagar United football club would not be participating in the 2015 competition “due to money”.
An 85-minute recording of the meeting was leaked online.
Mr Lim was heard, blasting the players:
“The chairman of the club and the management committee (are) above all of you. You are players, nobody is bigger than the club. The chairman heads the club.
“The management committee is not for you to judge… So I think you all need to know where you stand as a player, as a staff, as a coach.
“Do not ever question the chairman on his role and responsibility.”
He is also reported to have said:
“Some of the reasons you may not accept well and good, I cannot force you to accept every answer that we give you, but we are giving you the truth. If you cannot accept the truth then we cannot help you in any way.”
Mr Lim’s outburst was criticised by some for being insensitive to the players who had suddenly found themselves with an uncertain future with the club after the withdrawal from the S-League was announced.
