SINGAPORE — The National Football League (NFL) looks set for a revamp this season, with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) working to introduce a slew of initiatives to spruce up the local amateur competition.

Among the FAS’ key strategies to improve the league include the sourcing of sponsors to come on board to support the NFL, which is a two-tier competition for clubs that are affiliated to the FAS.

TODAY understands that the FAS is currently close to striking a one-year, cash-only deal with a corporate backer to become the title sponsors of this season’s NFL.

FAS provisional council president Lim Kia Tong, who is also the chairman of the NFL committee, told TODAY that the association has to look for external sponsorships, as funding for the grassroots league is limited.

The FAS receives an annual grant of some S$25 million from the Tote Board for football development. Starting this year, this funding will be administered by Sport Singapore (SportSG).

“We are working feverishly behind the scenes to get a title sponsor (for the NFL) because the funding from the Tote Board, which is now controlled by Sport Singapore, is limited when it comes to the NFL,” said Lim.

“So that is why we need to look outside for funding, which is crucial to enable NFL clubs to function better. Whatever little funding we can try to secure for them, we will do it.

“Even if we can get a few smaller sponsorships, when it’s combined, the cumulative effect in monetary terms will provide the clubs with the necessary subsidies to help them get off the ground.

“We have been talking to some potential sponsors, and hopefully things will work out well.”

Lim added that an “NFL development unit” would be set up within the FAS to specifically oversee the league and clubs.

On top of sourcing for sponsorships, the FAS is working on providing insurance coverage for all NFL players. It is also assisting clubs in securing pitches for their training and friendly matches, and is exploring the possibility of securing a centralised stadium for the sole use of the 23 active NFL clubs.

“We hear that the NFL clubs are having problems booking pitches for their own training before matches or before the season starts,” said Lim. “So, if we can raise the funds, then we can look into the possibility of having a stadium dedicated to the NFL clubs. This will give the clubs more assurance knowing that they will have a pitch to train (on), while their league matches will continue to be played in stadiums booked by the FAS.”

These proposals come on top of the waiving of participation fees — which previously amounted to S$1,500 — for clubs to take part in the NFL.

NFL club officials TODAY spoke to were encouraged to see more being done to improve the standard of the league.

Darwin Jalil, an official of reigning NFL champions Eunos Crescent, said: “These are all positive moves that will contribute greatly to the growth of the league. We must continue to seek ways to improve the NFL because this league is very important in Singapore’s footballing ecosystem as it can, and should, be used as a breeding ground for potential S.League players.”

Agreeing, Kembangan United FC president-elect Albert Ng said: “I think if we can get the insurance and a centralised stadium, it will definitely add more credibility to the league. Hopefully, as a result of this, the standard of the NFL will improve as a whole. After all, if we want to have a quality league, then we must be professional about running it. I think these initiatives will also give clubs out there a boost and, hopefully, more corporates will turn up to support the league now.”

Siglap FC team manager Alim Omar welcomed the possibility of insurance coverage for players, but said he hoped the implementation of these initiatives would not be used as a campaigning tool in the upcoming FAS elections of office bearers. “Players’ insurance is an area that takes up a lot of the club’s finances, yet we cannot neglect this aspect because it’s important for them to be properly protected or they will not want to play anymore,” said Alim. “I am, of course, happy that this initiative is being pursued. But I hope that it’s done out of goodwill by the current FAS provisional council, and not as part of any campaigning for the upcoming elections.”

This year’s NFL season is expected to kick-off in late April. A total of 10 teams will take part in the NFL 1, while the remaining 13 teams, which previously played in the Island Wide League, will compete in the NFL 2.