SINGAPORE — The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has said its ambition to qualify for the 2034 World Cup must be the “goal of the country”, and was surprised that the Government did not feel the same. 

The association was responding to comments in Parliament on Friday (March 6) that the government does not share its ambition to have a team qualify for the 2034 World Cup. 

On Friday, several Members of Parliament (MPs) had asked during the Ministry Of Culture, Community And Youth’s (MCCY) Committee of Supply debate about Singapore’s plans to reach Goal 2034. 

In a Facebook post on Saturday, FAS said that it was “surprising" that Mr Baey Yam Keng, MCCY’s Senior Parliamentary Secretary, told the House that Goal 2034 is “not a goal of the Government, and that it is only a goal of the FAS”. 

“That was not our understanding,” wrote the FAS. “We will have to clarify this with MCCY, to ascertain if this represents MCCY’s position.”

Responding to the MPs questions in Parliament, Mr Baey had said the Government "does not interfere with the management of national sports associations (NSA)".

"So the role of the Government is to support our NSA where possible. We've asked FAS for a briefing on how they aim to achieve the goal," he clarified.

Mr Baey also said that MCCY had suggested to the FAS to look at their mid-term and long-term development plans for youths in order to achieve Goal 2034.

The association, he understands, has taken the feedback into consideration and are “in the midst of talking to other stakeholders to further refine this vision".

“We look forward to hearing back from them on their plans and how we can best support them,” said Mr Baey.

This is not the first time Singapore has set a target to play at football's showcase tournament. In 1998, Singapore said it was aiming to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. 

Singapore failed to achieve what was dubbed Goal 2010, and about a decade later, the current state of local football has been criticised by various quarters.

The FAS added on Saturday that its latest aspiration — Goal 2034 — is a bold and ambitious project, and a long term one. 

It said it would start by getting the basics right, organising Singapore’s football development programme and inspiring a younger generation of players to aim high. 

“Goal 2034 was therefore conceived as a vision and a focal point, designed to galvanise our entire football ecosystem, from players and coaches in the grassroots, community, schools, and finally in elite football as well,” wrote the FAS.

“It is a goal which the FAS is happy to lead, but it must be a goal of the country, and all its stakeholders. This gives us the best chance of succeeding,” it added.

The FAS admitted that it will not be easy for Singapore to make it to the World Cup, but as the NSA for football, it was of the view that bold targets need to be set.  

“If Goal 2034 is not a goal which the country can support, then it would be very difficult for it to succeed. We will seek to discuss this with MCCY at the earliest opportunity.”

In response to queries from TODAY on Saturday, MCCY reiterated the comments said in Parliament on Friday.