SINGAPORE — As the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) heads towards its first-ever election of office bearers by May, it will also need to find a new man to revive its beleaguered professional football league, after the national body announced on Tuesday (Dec 3) that S.League chief executive officer (CEO) Lim Chin will be stepping down in March after five years at the helm.

Mr Lim, who was appointed in 2012, will stay until March 31 to facilitate the start of the new season, the FAS said in a media release. S.League director of operations Kok Wai Leong will then take over the running of the league until a new CEO is found

Explaining his decision to step down, Mr Lim said in the media release: “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. I wish all the clubs the very best for the coming season.”

TODAY understands that the FAS will begin its search for a new CEO for the S.League only after its new council is elected. 

While praising Mr Lim for his contributions to Singapore football, Tampines Rovers chairman Krishna Ramachandra said he hopes the new CEO will be able to bring in fresh ideas to improve the S.League.

“Lim Chin’s exit will be a loss to the league. He’s worked hard, it’s been a pleasure working with him, and I think he has left behind a decent legacy,” Mr Ramachandra told TODAY.

“But new blood might help to inject different ideas into improving the S.League, and maybe that’s what it needs right now.”

A club official, who declined to be named, said the next CEO will not have an easy time initially. 

“Whoever comes in definitely has a big job on his or her hands,” said the official. 

“Firstly, the person will probably start when the league is already in flow, so he or she will have to work with whatever is already in place.

“This means it’ll be hard to implement (new) ideas immediately. I hope whoever is taking over has the ability to deal with these challenges.”

Hougang United general manager Matthew Tay insists the S.League will not be improved immediately even with a different CEO on board.

“It could take up to three years before we can see the impact of the person’s appointment,” he said.

“The new CEO will need the first year to build new relationships with the league’s stakeholders, get to know the ground better and understand the situation that the league is in.

“But the league is already at one of its lowest points, so the only way is up, and so, hopefully, the new CEO can turn the league around.”

Added former national defender R Sasikumar, who is also the managing director of sports marketing agency Red Card: “We need someone to challenge the S.League as a product, because currently, it doesn’t work. 

“The person has to ask why the S.League exists and find that answer.

“The league needs someone to come in with a clear, long-term vision for it, buckle down to formulate his or her strategy, and see it through. It won’t be easy, but that’s where the person earns his keep.”