Amid an atmosphere filled with anticipation and goodwill, Football With A Heart (FWAH) returned for its eighth edition. FWAH is an executive football charity fundraiser, a collaboration between Singapore Pools, Football Association of Singapore, and Sport Singapore into its 8th edition and has rallied together a whopping $1,238,350 for not one, but seven beneficiaries: Daughters of Tomorrow, FAS Cares, iShine Cloud Limited, Lions Befrienders Service Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation, SportCares Foundation, and Playeum Limited. This heartening accomplishment was made possible through the unwavering support of 58 generous sponsors.
True to its mission of using sports to spark positive change, the FWAH fundraising effort was bolstered by the dollar-to-dollar grant matching by Tote Board. The event was graced by Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. MOS Tan not only captained the Team Parliamentarians but also inaugurated the Corporate Tournament Final with a symbolic kickoff. The heartening moment arrived when MOS Tan accepted the substantial donation on behalf of the seven beneficiaries from Mr Kai Nargolwala, Chairman of Singapore Pools, and Mrs Mildred Tan, Chairman of Tote Board.
The iconic National Stadium was transformed into a hub of joy as nearly 2,000 participants, families, and friends gathered to celebrate unity, teamwork, and goodwill. Over 600 footballers hailing from 45 corporate teams competed with fervour, igniting cheers and support from the sidelines. The excitement then transitioned to close to 500 young players from 51 youth teams who, in their own spirited way, carried forward the joyous energy to the field. Congratulations to the winning teams from the Youth Tournament – The New Team 2 (Men’s U21), Lions United White (Men’s U17) and District West Girls 3 (Women’s U21). The celebration of the event marked a significant milestone to Singapore Pools' 55th Anniversary, allowing the public to partake in the jubilant occasion through a delightful community carnival.
The presence of celebrity teams, including players from Team Parliamentarians such as Mr Seah Kian Peng, Mr Desmond Tan, Mr Fahmi Aliman, and other esteemed members of the Parliament, local media artists and ex-national football players such as Li Nanxing, Vivian Lai, Baihakki Khaizan and Lim Tong Hai, added an extra layer of excitement to the morning's festivities. Following spirited yet friendly competition, Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX Group) clinched victory in the corporate tournament, while FAS Legends emerged triumphant in the celebrity tournament.
“We are proud to witness the triumphant eighth edition of Football With A Heart. This event truly embodies and showcases the transformative force of unity, team spirit and inclusivity, and sporting excellence, reinforcing our commitment to create a more caring community. We are immensely grateful for the overwhelming support from our network of partners, which will fuel our ongoing efforts to drive positive change and empower the lives of those in need,” said Mr Lam Chee Weng, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Pools.
Since its inception in 2012, Football With A Heart has raised $6.3 million, benefiting 49 distinct charities and social enterprises. The event organizers extend their heartfelt appreciation to their corporate sponsors, whose steadfast support paves the way for impactful initiatives like Football With A Heart. As the legacy continues, the hope is to inspire countless others to embrace the power of collective goodwill and create a better world through events of this kind.
Visit Singapore Pools In the Community for more event photos here and catch the event highlight video here.