Chinese club Sinchi FC will not be participating in the 2006 S-League after failing to get together a competitive team for next year. The Chilins, who made their S-League debut in 2003, will concentrate on grassroots projects including a football school and futsal tournaments. Their current youth side, champions in the Prime League this season, will play in China's lower leagues with a view to gaining experience for a projected return to Singapore. An alternative plan to adopt the youth team of a top China Super League club - following the model of Albirex Niigata - is also under consideration.
“Our management had decided to withdraw from the S-League after our poor finish this season, but changed our mind following encouragement from the FAS and our sponsors,” said Sinchi vice-chairman Wang Jinhui. “But after studying the new team in China last week, we felt that it was too weak and not any better than the teams of the last three years. We need more time to be more selective with the players who will represent Sinchi. We want to do justice to the S-League, the fans and sponsors.
S-League CEO, How Seen Yong, Singapore's 2006 S-League roster announced (11 Nov)
“Our management had decided to withdraw from the S-League after our poor finish this season, but changed our mind following encouragement from the FAS and our sponsors,” said Sinchi vice-chairman Wang Jinhui. “But after studying the new team in China last week, we felt that it was too weak and not any better than the teams of the last three years. We need more time to be more selective with the players who will represent Sinchi. We want to do justice to the S-League, the fans and sponsors.
S-League CEO, How Seen Yong, Singapore's 2006 S-League roster announced (11 Nov)