May 13, 2004

R Vengadasalam has ended his long-standing association with Woodlands Wellington by joining Tampines Rovers.

The former chairman, team manager & general manager of the Rams has a reputation of being the 'Mouth of the North' for his willingness tospeak about the state of Singapore football which at times displease the FAS top ranks.

The flamboyant Venga has been a Rams icon since the S-League started in 1996. His brazen behaviour irritated officials & opponent at times but it was just what a newly formed league needed.

However since Rams main sponsor Sembcrop Power & Gas got involved in running the Rams 2 year ago with the introduction of prominent oil trader Tang Weng Fei as Rams chairman, he has been given fewer & fewer responsibilities in the Rams management. It is reported he was unhappy with the change of events, as he wanted to be directly involved with football & not just the administration side of things.

Therefore it was no surprise that when the Stags came calling he joined them as the Stags' Director of Operations.

Certainly he admitted the offer was from Stags chairman was also too good to pass up & he decided to make the move.

Stags chairman was delighted with capture of Venga & he believed it is the signing of the season for the Stags. He felt the passion Venga has for football will rub off on the rest of the Stags family.

Venga main responsibilities at Tampines Rovers will be the area of youth development.