Latest news with #GavinLee


CNA
a day ago
- Sport
- CNA
Billionaire FAS president Forrest Li has the financial means and the zeal, but are these enough to revive Singapore football?
Fans and commentators also pointed to organisational development as another area that Mr Li and his team can address in the near term. Mr Yeo the football observer said: 'FAS has been critically short on technical staff, and marketing and communications staff. Both are essential if the association is to run well and engage fans better.' Indeed, engagement and communication with its supporters is an area where fans believe more can be done. An example of this is the organisation's online presence. Mr Chuan Rei Hern, a 19-year-old student and avid follower of Singapore football, noted that 'basic statistics' such as information on the SPL's top goal scorers cannot be found on FAS' websites. He believes such issues that can be quickly solved and improved upon should be the new council's first order of business. 'How do new fans even get into the Singapore football circle when baseline information is so disjointed and difficult to reach?' he asked. Although it is undoubtedly more complicated than updating a website, focusing on improving the standard of coaching is another aspect that could feasibly be done during Mr Li's tenure. Mr de Roo, who previously held roles as technical director in Australia's FFA Centre of Excellence and the Football Association of Malaysia, identified Mr Gavin Lee – assistant coach of the Singapore men's national team and former BG Tampines Rovers head coach – as one of the most promising coaches in the nation today. However, he noted that this prominence is a product of an individual effort to go 'above and beyond' to improve himself, as opposed to being a product of the coaching education here. 'If you want to develop better players for your senior national team, the players have to work with better coaches and that means you have to develop better coaches.' WHAT MIGHT BE OUT OF REACH? However well-resourced or well-connected Mr Li might be, there are other fundamental challenges that he and his council may struggle to solve. At the heart of these challenges is that not everything in football is controlled or dictated by the football association alone, observers said. One common problem raised was the lack of unity across the ecosystem. While clubs, schools and private academies all contribute to the sport, they often operate in silos with little alignment in objectives or standards. Mr Vengadasalam, who now runs the Woodlands Lions FC, said that he often has players who are unable to train with his club's academy, for instance, due to clashes with the schedules of their schools' co-curricular activities. Mr Vengadasalam believes such a disconnect between the school system and academies like his means that player development is often halted. It is this fragmentation in the fraternity that might be a hurdle too large to overcome, Mr Raymond said. 'The schools' football system is an entire ecosystem on its own,' he added. 'It's a challenge to bring them all together and to agree on a technical strategy or a certain point of action.' Mr Yeo the football observer believes that one of the most intractable challenges Mr Li and the new FAS council faces is infrastructure, or the lack of control over it. 'No club apart from the Sailors owns any facility whatsoever. Even if they're a top team and they play in the SPL, they don't own a stadium,' he noted. This is not unique to Singapore. Professional clubs in Japan, for instance, do not own their stadiums either. However, Mr Yeo pointed out that Japanese local governments work closely with clubs to ensure facilities are prioritised for football use. 'Priority does not mean that other sports cannot use those facilities,' he said, but there must be a 'football lens' when infrastructure is built or refurbished. He gave the example of Singapore's National Stadium, which has a 'lay-and-play' natural grass pitch system that involves laying specially grown turf for major events. This allows for quick pitch replacement and ensures a high-quality playing surface. 'But land scarcity is the biggest problem. Even if we have a bottomless pit of money, you can't just build stadiums for every single club or even training pitches. There are so many parties with conflicting agendas when it comes to land in Singapore," he added. 'So you have a difficult situation that I don't think even (Mr Li) can resolve. He has to try to convince the government as to why it's important to build these facilities that can improve football professionalism." He continued: 'This would be the biggest challenge, even bigger than developing talent.' Still, those in the fraternity remain hopeful that change is possible, as long as it is done collaboratively and with conviction. Mr de Roo said: 'It starts with recognising where (things) go wrong, how to fix it and then appointing quality people to do that. 'Then make sure that they have the authority to do so, because there's no point appointing quality people if they are still hamstrung. Back them up, facilitate them and be strong. 'With infrastructure, you have the involvement of the ministries and other stakeholders. Sit at the table – you all want the same outcome, discuss how you are going to do that. 'Everybody tries to tell me that Singaporeans don't care about football. That's not true. They love football, but they've just lost faith.'

Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Singapore Premier League's youngest coach Gavin Lee leaves Tampines Rovers
SINGAPORE – Changes are afoot at BG Tampines Rovers after head coach Gavin Lee announced that he will leave the Singapore Premier League (SPL) club after almost eight years. Speaking to The Straits Times from Thailand, where he is currently on a break, Lee, 34, confirmed that both parties have agreed to part ways. While he declined to provide details, Lee said the decision to leave Tampines was due to a mix of personal and professional reasons. He said: 'The people closest to me know how I work and the manner in which I do things is quite 100 per cent and all in. I've been doing that for quite a few years now and sometimes it's about relooking and prioritising some things in life, so that's one contribution to the reasons to leave. Secondly, as a consequence of the manner in which I've worked, I need to find a way to refuel the tank.' He has not decided on his next move, adding: 'There are options and opportunities. I will take my time to consider the path that I want to take but as I alluded to before, there are certain priorities in my life that I want to pursue so my choices will be towards that direction.' Lee joined the Stags as an assistant coach in Dec 2017, before being promoted to the head coach role for the 2019 campaign. At just 28, he was the youngest ever head coach in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) then. And under Lee, who has been described by players and colleagues as someone who 'eats, sleeps and breathes football', the Stags have been one of the most attractive teams to watch in the league due to their possession-based attacking football. In 2019, Tampines won the Singapore Cup, before clinching the Singapore Community Shield a year later. In the recently concluded 2024/25 campaign, Tampines were runners-up to the Lion City Sailors in the Singapore Cup and finished second in the league, eight points behind the Sailors. Unlike the Sailors, who are a privatised club, the Stags do not enjoy the same resources and Lee has blooded several youth players over the years. Several players have gone on to be capped for the Lions including Ryaan Sanizal, Irfan Najeeb, Joel Chew, Shah Shahiran and Taufik Suparno. Thanking former club chairman Desmond Ong for putting his trust in him and 'providing the stability and clarity from the top', Lee said he has no regrets, even if the decision to leave the club did not come easy. He said: 'Ultimately, it is about recognising what is best for me and for the club... we needed to avoid being emotional about it, we wanted to be as logical and reasonable as possible for both myself and the club. 'If we allowed emotions to run the conversation, then I will still probably be at the club. I formed very strong relationships with people in and around the club and Tampines has always been more than a club for me. It's been my home.' ST understands that Akbar Nawas, who guided Tampines to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup in 2016, is in talks to return to the club as head coach. The 49-year-old was most recently the head coach of Nakhon Pathom United in Thai League 1 and was previously head coach at SPL's Balestier Khalsa from 2021 to 2022. Lee's departure comes amid leadership renewal at Tampines – long-time chairman Ong stepped aside at the start of June to make way for Japanese investment banker Shungo Sakamoto. The club has also made its first foreign signing for the new season, announcing on June 16 that 32-year-old Japanese attacking midfielder Koya Kazama from J2 League side JEF United Chiba would be joining the Stags. Lee is hopeful that the squad will continue to challenge for the top honours domestically and be competitive on the continental and regional stage. On top of the Asian Champions League 2, Tampines are also set to compete in the Asean Club Championship in the 2025/26 season. Lee, who is the Singapore national team assistant coach working alongside head coach Tsutomu Ogura, said: 'I think we have a better set of processes now compared to when we first started, we have a very strong core group of local players now that are still at a right age, and we have regional and continental competitions to play for. 'We can be proud of quite a few things that we have managed to achieve and hopefully, long it may continue, and the next person that comes in will just continue to improve the processes, improve the club, and bring more success.' Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


Korea Herald
11-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Panduit Launces Innovative Solar Drain Clip to Boost Solar Panel Efficiency Across Asia Pacific
Revolutionary drainage solution addresses critical maintenance challenges in the region's diverse climate conditions SINGAPORE, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Panduit, a global leader in electrical and network infrastructure solutions, today announced the launch of its Solar Drain Clip in the Asia Pacific market. This innovative product addresses one of the most significant challenges facing solar installations across the region's diverse climates: water accumulation and its negative impact on solar panel efficiency and longevity. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: The Asia Pacific region has seen unprecedented growth in solar energy adoption, with installations expected to increase by 40% over the next five years. However, the region's varied climate conditions—from monsoon seasons to high humidity environments—present unique challenges for maintaining optimal solar panel performance. "Water accumulation on solar panels is particularly problematic across APAC where intense rainfall and humidity can accelerate dirt buildup and algae growth," said Gavin Lee, Business Development Director for Asia Pacific. "Our Solar Drain Clip provides a simple yet effective solution that can significantly reduce maintenance costs while maximizing energy output—addressing a critical need for solar installations throughout the region." Optimized Drainage for Maximum Efficiency The Solar Drain Clip improves drainage by effectively directing water off panel surfaces, minimizing residue buildup that can cause shading and reduced power output. By maintaining cleaner panel surfaces, the clip helps sustain consistent energy generation in all weather conditions, a particular advantage during monsoon seasons experienced across many parts of APAC. Engineered for Asia Pacific's Demanding Environments With an estimated service life exceeding 20 years*, the Solar Drain Clip is specifically designed to withstand the region's harshest environmental conditions, from extreme heat and humidity to heavy seasonal rainfall. This durability stands in harsh contrast to lower-grade alternatives that typically require replacement within 1-2 years. "For large-scale solar installations across Asia Pacific, the reduction in maintenance frequency translates to significant operational cost savings," added Lee. "This makes our Solar Drain Clip particularly valuable for utility-scale solar farms and commercial installations throughout the region." Key Features and Benefits: Availability The Panduit Solar Drain Clip is now available through authorized Panduit distributors across the APAC region. For more information, visit or contact your local Panduit representative. About Panduit Panduit is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality electrical and network infrastructure and connectivity solutions. Operating from our headquarters in Tinley Park, Ill., USA, and across 112 worldwide locations, we drive innovation through strategic R&D investments and breakthrough product development while providing seamless global support and service. Since 1955, our commitment to our customers and partners has remained constant. And together, with them, we create exceptional solutions that support their businesses in a way that's good for them and good for the world. Panduit is making the connections that matter. For more information, visit
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Panduit Launces Innovative Solar Drain Clip to Boost Solar Panel Efficiency Across Asia Pacific
Revolutionary drainage solution addresses critical maintenance challenges in the region's diverse climate conditions SINGAPORE, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Panduit, a global leader in electrical and network infrastructure solutions, today announced the launch of its Solar Drain Clip in the Asia Pacific market. This innovative product addresses one of the most significant challenges facing solar installations across the region's diverse climates: water accumulation and its negative impact on solar panel efficiency and longevity. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: The Asia Pacific region has seen unprecedented growth in solar energy adoption, with installations expected to increase by 40% over the next five years. However, the region's varied climate conditions—from monsoon seasons to high humidity environments—present unique challenges for maintaining optimal solar panel performance. "Water accumulation on solar panels is particularly problematic across APAC where intense rainfall and humidity can accelerate dirt buildup and algae growth," said Gavin Lee, Business Development Director for Asia Pacific. "Our Solar Drain Clip provides a simple yet effective solution that can significantly reduce maintenance costs while maximizing energy output—addressing a critical need for solar installations throughout the region." Optimized Drainage for Maximum Efficiency The Solar Drain Clip improves drainage by effectively directing water off panel surfaces, minimizing residue buildup that can cause shading and reduced power output. By maintaining cleaner panel surfaces, the clip helps sustain consistent energy generation in all weather conditions, a particular advantage during monsoon seasons experienced across many parts of APAC. Engineered for Asia Pacific's Demanding Environments With an estimated service life exceeding 20 years*, the Solar Drain Clip is specifically designed to withstand the region's harshest environmental conditions, from extreme heat and humidity to heavy seasonal rainfall. This durability stands in harsh contrast to lower-grade alternatives that typically require replacement within 1-2 years. "For large-scale solar installations across Asia Pacific, the reduction in maintenance frequency translates to significant operational cost savings," added Lee. "This makes our Solar Drain Clip particularly valuable for utility-scale solar farms and commercial installations throughout the region." Key Features and Benefits: Tool-Free Installation: Simple clip-on mechanism enables quick installation or removal, reducing labor costs Universal Compatibility: Unique range-taking design accommodates most solar panel frame thicknesses, simplifying inventory management Retrofit Capability: Equally effective for both new installations and existing solar arrays needing performance improvements Regional Testing: Extensively tested in various APAC climate conditions to ensure optimal performance Availability The Panduit Solar Drain Clip is now available through authorized Panduit distributors across the APAC region. For more information, visit or contact your local Panduit representative. About Panduit Panduit is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality electrical and network infrastructure and connectivity solutions. Operating from our headquarters in Tinley Park, Ill., USA, and across 112 worldwide locations, we drive innovation through strategic R&D investments and breakthrough product development while providing seamless global support and service. Since 1955, our commitment to our customers and partners has remained constant. And together, with them, we create exceptional solutions that support their businesses in a way that's good for them and good for the world. Panduit is making the connections that matter. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Panduit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Panduit Launces Innovative Solar Drain Clip to Boost Solar Panel Efficiency Across Asia Pacific
Revolutionary drainage solution addresses critical maintenance challenges in the region's diverse climate conditions SINGAPORE, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Panduit, a global leader in electrical and network infrastructure solutions, today announced the launch of its Solar Drain Clip in the Asia Pacific market. This innovative product addresses one of the most significant challenges facing solar installations across the region's diverse climates: water accumulation and its negative impact on solar panel efficiency and longevity. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: The Asia Pacific region has seen unprecedented growth in solar energy adoption, with installations expected to increase by 40% over the next five years. However, the region's varied climate conditions—from monsoon seasons to high humidity environments—present unique challenges for maintaining optimal solar panel performance. "Water accumulation on solar panels is particularly problematic across APAC where intense rainfall and humidity can accelerate dirt buildup and algae growth," said Gavin Lee, Business Development Director for Asia Pacific. "Our Solar Drain Clip provides a simple yet effective solution that can significantly reduce maintenance costs while maximizing energy output—addressing a critical need for solar installations throughout the region." Optimized Drainage for Maximum Efficiency The Solar Drain Clip improves drainage by effectively directing water off panel surfaces, minimizing residue buildup that can cause shading and reduced power output. By maintaining cleaner panel surfaces, the clip helps sustain consistent energy generation in all weather conditions, a particular advantage during monsoon seasons experienced across many parts of APAC. Engineered for Asia Pacific's Demanding Environments With an estimated service life exceeding 20 years*, the Solar Drain Clip is specifically designed to withstand the region's harshest environmental conditions, from extreme heat and humidity to heavy seasonal rainfall. This durability stands in harsh contrast to lower-grade alternatives that typically require replacement within 1-2 years. "For large-scale solar installations across Asia Pacific, the reduction in maintenance frequency translates to significant operational cost savings," added Lee. "This makes our Solar Drain Clip particularly valuable for utility-scale solar farms and commercial installations throughout the region." Key Features and Benefits: Tool-Free Installation: Simple clip-on mechanism enables quick installation or removal, reducing labor costs Universal Compatibility: Unique range-taking design accommodates most solar panel frame thicknesses, simplifying inventory management Retrofit Capability: Equally effective for both new installations and existing solar arrays needing performance improvements Regional Testing: Extensively tested in various APAC climate conditions to ensure optimal performance Availability The Panduit Solar Drain Clip is now available through authorized Panduit distributors across the APAC region. For more information, visit or contact your local Panduit representative. About Panduit Panduit is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality electrical and network infrastructure and connectivity solutions. Operating from our headquarters in Tinley Park, Ill., USA, and across 112 worldwide locations, we drive innovation through strategic R&D investments and breakthrough product development while providing seamless global support and service. Since 1955, our commitment to our customers and partners has remained constant. And together, with them, we create exceptional solutions that support their businesses in a way that's good for them and good for the world. Panduit is making the connections that matter. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Panduit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data