Happy New Year!
Thanks to your support. Albirex Niigata Football Club (S) was able to continue its activities last year.
The year 2023 will mark the 20th anniversary of the club's foundation. We are able to continue our activities for such a long time thanks to our partners and Albirex family. We really appreciate your support.
Last year, our top team won the Singapore Premier League. I would like to thank our supporters for their passionate support. I would also like to congratulate Ilhan Fandi for securing a transfer to KMSK Deinze in Belgium, Kodai Tanaka for making a transfer to Lion City Sailors FC and the other players also decided their new futures, including J League clubs. With our age restriction regulations on registered players, helping our players develop better careers is our mission and a great joy for us.
This year, our 20th anniversary, former Japanese national team player Tadanari Lee, who has continued his contract with us, and Kazuaki Yoshinaga, who will be coaching for a total of four seasons, will be fighting with us. We also have a new member, goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, who has played more than 100 games for the Singapore national team, as well as new young players coming from Japan to challenge themselves in their careers. I’m sure that all players will be boosted by your enthusiastic support.
The women's team started last year. Even though we were joining the league first time, we achieved an unexpectedly good result, coming in 2nd place. Our players greatest strengths are their teamwork and unyielding fighting spirit. We are heading straight for our goal, showing their brightest smiles in every game even if they are covered with mud. Their passionate play at the games really moved our hearts. I hope you will come and watch the match.
Our Football Academy was established at the end of 2021 to develop young Singaporean on and off the pitch. Many players are breaking out of their shells from boys to young men through daily training and overseas trip. And we are looking forward to seeing professional players bring into existence from Football Academy! I feel that they will have a wonderful impact on our activities this year and in the future.
The growth of the children in our soccer school and cheer dance school is our joy. We hope that they will increase what they can do step by step and enjoy soccer and cheer dance more and more. When we see the children watching our games with pure eyes and cheering loudly, it really encourages our hearts and makes us want to do even better. It gives us the courage to say, "we can do it!”. Thank you for your support!
Yuhua Albirex Football Academy (YAFA), after a very difficult period of training during Covid, has finally been able to slowly return to its previous activities. It is very important for the children in our hometown of Yuhua to enjoy exercise and socialize through football. We are able to continue this activity thanks to the understanding of the Yuhua community and the cooperation of many volunteers.
Our slogan has remained the same since 2008, "The reason." This includes the meaning that each of us should express why we are here and why we are allowed to be here. This year, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we will continue to express "The reason." to Singapore, where has welcomed Albirex with open arms, and to Niigata, where our roots are.
We look forward to your support in our historical 2023 season!
Albirex Niigata Football Club (S)
Chairman
Daisuke Korenaga