It started at Yishun Stadium. Then they were pushed to Choa Chu Kang.
Now the Women’s Premier League will also be held at ITE College East in addition to the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, and unhappiness is still brewing.
Two years ago, the state of the Yishun Stadium left lots to be desired after TMSG exposed how the Women’s Premier League (WPL) was being organised.
Two years on, it appears that the WPL is still being treated like poorer cousins of the Singapore Premier League, never mind that one is professional and one is not.
What does not work is the optics of how the WPL is being organised, especially from a gender equality perspective, with issues being surfaced repeatedly.
On 9 April, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that from henceforth, WPL matches will be played at two venues instead of one.
When the season started just a month ago, all WPL matches were being held at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
But after complaints about a muddy pitch which was waterlogged in certain areas, the field was shut for maintenance and matches were moved to Jalan Besar Stadium.
It was like a plantation, players complained.
Now, matches will be played at Choa Chu Kang Stadium and ITE College East.
NOT FAIR, UNPROFESSIONAL TO USE SCHOOL FIELD FOR PREMIER LEAGUE
The move to use ITE College East as a competition venue for the WPL did not go down well with BG Tampines Rovers coach Faizal Zainuddin.
“I disagree with the idea of playing at school venues as it shows a lack of respect for the WPL sponsors, players and clubs,” he told The Straits Times.
“I believe that in order for women’s football to grow in Singapore, these clubs and players should be treated with a professional environment as much as possible.”
Hougang United player-coach added that the change in venues “may seem unfair for some clubs as the rotation between the two venues is not the same for all clubs,” she told The Straits Times.
She added how Geylang International would have all their matches played at ITE College East, which is their training ground, which constitutes home advantage for them when other teams need to move around.
Apart from Choa Chu Kang Stadium and ITE College East, two matches on 14 April will take place at Yishun Stadium.
Imagine that all of these changes are happening with the league just into Matchweek Three of the 2024 season.
MAIN PHOTO: DELOITTE WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
