The Deloitte Women’s Premier League which only just began on 9 March has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
And it is not the fault of the players or coaches as concerns have been raised about the state of the pitch being used of the matches, which are all being played at a centralised venue.
When launched, the WPL was played at the Yishun Stadium, but concerns were raised then given the poor state of the facilities, in an expose by TMSG.
See stories below, published in August and September 2022.
In 2023, Choa Chu Kang Stadium was added as an added venue, and this season, all matches will be played at the former Warriors FC home stadium.
After only to weeks since the competition began, players, coaches and fans alike have raised the red flag.
Albirex Niigata striker Lila Tan told The Straits Times that it is “quite evident that the field is not in the best condition and it’s just not the most ideal for us.”
“The pitch today (March 10) was messy and muddy.”
Her team-mate Lutfiah Hannah added, “There tends to be bumps and when the ball hits them, it will go in another direction so it’s hard to be in the right position every single time.”
Geylang International captain Mastura Jeilani said her friends asked her if she “was playing on a football or a plantation field”, reported The Straits Times.
Geylang coach and former international Ratna Suffian added, “Some areas are just unplayable, you miskick, it leads to a goal; your plans go down the drain.”
Choa Chu Kang Stadium does appear to be ravaged by over-use as the stadium is also being utilised by Albirex’s youth and men’s teams, given that Jurong East is being returfed.
RESPONSE BY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE AND SPORT SINGAPORE
The Football Association of Singapore and Sport Singapore told The Straits Times that various factors were considered when selecting the venue, like having sufficient dressing rooms.
“ActiveSG Choa Chu Kang Stadium was chosen as the primary venue for WPL as it best fulfilled these considerations.”
No shit Sherlock.
And then they pulled out the usual land-scarcity excuse.
“In land-scarce Singapore, sporting spaces will need to be optimised for various uses and shared among different stakeholders.
“In the case of ActiveSG Choa Chu Kang Stadium, it also serves other sporting needs such as hosting Albirex Niigata’s training, Singapore Youth League matches as well as National School Games for athletics.”
Which basically explains why the Choa Chu Kang Stadium is in its current state.
And then they pulled out the other set of excuses.
“Even with regular maintenance efforts, the pitch condition is subject to weather and usage patterns.”
“Hence, SportSG also monitors facility usage closely and increases the frequency of maintenance when necessary.
“The functionality and safety of our facilities remain our priorities.”
In response to the shifting of the matches from Yishun Stadium to Choa Chu Kang, Geylang coach Ratna Suffian said, “If you want to change stadiums, make sure the facilities are also available there.
“(Choosing between them) is not the right way to move forward.”
Meaning, what’s the use of having proper changing rooms when the field, where the football is being played, is like a plantation.
MAIN PHOTOS : @SpawnedScars/X and Albirex Niigata
