KUALA LUMPUR – The Singapore football fraternity mourns the sudden passing of its Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Lim Kia Tong today.
Kia Tong was 70 years old, and he leaves behind his wife and two children.
In a Facebook post today, the FAS said that it is devastated to receive news of the sudden passing of Kia Tong, who had served as the first elected FAS president since 2017.
“He was a dedicated servant of the sport he loved.
FAS said that it would prepare a tribute space in the FAS lobby at the Jalan Besar Stadium from tomorrow for those who wish to pay their respects.
“On behalf of the FAS Council, secretariat, and the wider football fraternity, we send our deepest condolences to the family of the late Mr. Lim during their time of grief,” said the post.
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Amin said that this is a shock to the world football fraternity because Kia Tiong was involved not only with Singapore football but also with AFF, Asian Football and also FIFA.
“I am saddened by this news. I just heard it as I just came back from a working trip. I would like to wish my deepest condolences to his family and also to the FAS.
“This is a big loss to football,” he said when contacted.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Vibes, former Singapore national player Baihakki Khaizan said that Kia Tong was a very warm person and a president who commits himself to the sport.
“I met him last week. It is a great loss to Singapore football.
“He was my manager when I was in the Under-17 and Under-19 teams respectively.
“We will be having our congress meeting next week and I believe the higher authorities in FAS will look at the constitution to see what will be done next.
“In terms of Singapore football, whoever takes over now has to fill in the void that has been left by Kia Tong,” said Baihakki, who is currently holds the role of Lead of Special Projects in FAS.
Kia Tong was instrumental in improving the Singapore Football League (formerly known as the National Football League) by bringing in Ajinomoto as a major sponsor, organising insurance coverage, while securing venues for the amateur competition in 2017.
On the international stage, Kia Tong was respected for his position as deputy chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee as well as the chairman of the Asian Football Confederation disciplinary committee.
His first role in football would come in 1999 when he was appointed FAS council member. He later became FAS vice-president in 2007.
Kia Tong was a fairly low-profile figure until the 2004 World Cup when he was part of the disciplinary committee that gave a four-month ban and a 100,000 Swiss franc (RM 470,480) fine to Uruguay player Luis Suarez after the striker bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Kia Tong also lifted the lifetime ban on former FIFA referee Thiru Rajamanickam in March this year after he was caught accepting a US$1000 (RM 4527) bribe from a bookmaker, which saw him sentenced to eight months in jail and a fine of US$1000, while being deregistered from the FAS referees’ list in 1994.
Speaking to the Singapore media, Thiru, 71, said that he and his family are thankful for Kia Tong’s efforts to get the ban overturned after 28 years.
“It takes a man of courage to do that, and I understand that he also put a lot of effort to research my case. I will continue to try and contribute to local football to repay what he has done for me,” he said.
On Monday, Kia Tong presented the Singapore Football League trophy to champions Singapore Khalsa Association as they clinched the title for the first time, having competed the 2022 season with 28 points, 6 clear of closest rivals Yishun Sentek Mariners FC. – The Vibes, September 14, 2022
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