The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is facing a leadership vacuum.
On 22 January, it has become apparent that Ben Teng, a sitting Vice-President of the national football body has submitted a leave of absence from his duties, understood to be for personal reasons.
An affiliate of the FAS called the current state of affairs a leadership crisis, and said it was indicative of shambolic state of the game in Singapore.
“No wonder nothing really moves in Singapore football,” he exclaimed.
It is not known why he has submitted a leave of absence request from his duties and is is also not known why the FAS has not made this information public as a matter of transparency, given the position is in the decision-making body of the FAS.
Teng, a former chairman of Geylang International who is still listed as its advisor, is one of four vice presidents in the FAS which also include Razali Saad, Teo Hock Seng and S Thavaneson.
He entered the FAS leadership team at the last contest for office bearers in 2021 and his term was due to end in 2025.
In addition to Teng, the role of deputy president has not been filled after Bernard Tan assumed the role of president, following the passing of former president Lim Kia Tong.
Teng could not be reached for comment but several insiders whom TMSG spoke to said that he had shared with them his thoughts about the state of football affairs on previous occasions.
Another source also indicated that Teng could return to Geylang as its chairman, but this was still mere speculation and does not address the need for him to seek a leave of absence from his role in the Exco.
MAIN PHOTO: AFF