FAS expresses surprise at MCCY stance that Goal 2034 is not a goal set by government
SINGAPORE — The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) expressed surprise at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s (MCCY) stated stance on its Goal 2034 ambition to qualify for the 2034 World Cup Finals.
The ministry’s Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng said during the Committee of Supply debate in Parliament on Friday (6 March) that Goal 2034 – which was initially reported by the media in August 2019 – is a target set by FAS.
“It's not a goal set by the Government,” Baey had said, adding that the government does not interfere with the management of national sports associations (NSAs).
Not our understanding: FAS
On Saturday, FAS put up a post on its Facebook page quoting its executive committee expressing its surprise at Baey’s comments.
“That was not our understanding,” it said in the Facebook post. “We will have to clarify this with MCCY, to ascertain if this represents MCCY’s position.
“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.”
The FAS exco continued in the post to say that Goal 2034 is a “bold and ambitious project” 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.
Goal 2034 to ‘focus and shape everything’ that FAS do
Goal 2034 was first announced by FAS vice-president Edwin Tong, who is also Minister of State for Law and Health.
He had said then that the plan would be used to "focus and shape everything" that the FAS and its stakeholders do. It is designed to galvanise the football ecosystem, and inspire a younger generation of players to aim high.
The announcement sparked a debate, with many critics drawing comparisons to Goal 2010, a similar plan to qualify for the World Cup Finals that was mooted in 1998 but ultimately failed.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s national football team are currently ranked world No. 157, and had been eliminated from the AFF Suzuki Cup at the group stage for the past three consecutive editions.
“Goal 2034 is a bold and ambitious project,” FAS said in its Facebook post.
“It would not be easy for us to make it to the World Cup, but, as the NSA for football, the FAS is of the view that we must set bold targets, and we must try.”
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