September 18, 2004

FAS is set to introduce a new 'fitness clause' next year to cut back on unfit players

Unfit players could well find themselves out of a job next season, if the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) decide to implement a "fitness clause" next year as it was revealed that the FAS are studying an S-League proposal that will ensure players attain a minimum fitness standard, before they are allowed to sign any contracts with S-League clubs.

The proposal stipulates that players must attain a minimum fitness standard of Level 13 Shuttle 1 (Level 13-1), for their mandatory pre-season beep tests, before they are allowed to play in the S-League.

The beep tests - conducted by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) - are held during pre-season & midway through the S-League campaign.

In a beep test, each level contains a series of 12 shuttle runs of 20m. Runners must complete each before a beep sounds. With each level, the interval between beeps decreases so the shuttle runs get faster.

Responding to queries, S-League's director of competitions, Quah Kim Song, said nothing has been confirmed at this point of time & whatever decision taken will be in consultation with the S-League clubs & the SSC.

The S-League, together with the clubs' head coaches, FAS technical director P N Sivaji & the SSC, are also in the process of exploring other methods to assess players' fitness levels.

Any test that the S-League may institute will have the aim to raise the overall fitness of the players & reward those motivated to consistently achieve high fitness levels.