prime news 쐽 THE STRAITS TIMES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 2009 PAGE A6
SAF man
S’pore
to host
Asian leg
of soccer
forum
Big names in sport expected to
attend inaugural Soccerex
convention here next July
BY TERRENCE VOON
SOME of football’s biggest names will
meet here next year for the inaugural
Soccerex Asia Forum, one of the
world’s largest football business confer-
ences and exhibitions.
Organised by Football Asia, a Singa-
pore-based football business consultan-
cy, the two-day event in July will see
top international football officials and
business leaders arrive for a series of
networking events and seminars.
Staging the event here is a coup for
Singapore, which held off competition
from bidders such as Abu Dhabi, Qatar
and Dubai to host the forum.
“Football Asia’s decision to base it-
self in Singapore is a testimony of Sin-
gapore’s growing importance as Asia’s
sports industry hub,” said Mr Oon Jin
Teik, chief executive officer of the Sin-
dies while
jogging in US
BY JERMYN CHOW
A VETERAN army warrant officer sent recently
to the United States collapsed during a morning
run yesterday and died later in hospital.
The body of First Warrant Officer (1WO)
S. Thivvianathan, 51, was found alongside Old
Cedar Lake in Oklahoma, the Ministry of De-
fence (Mindef) said in a statement.
It said the transport supervisor with the Sin-
gapore Armed Forces (SAF) had gone with oth-
er servicemen to run at their own pace by the
lake.
The others had gone on ahead during the run
and were unaware that 1WO Thivvianathan had
got into trouble.
He was found motionless by a local resident,
who tried to resuscitate him. He was taken to
the nearby Reynolds Army Community Hospi-
tal, but died soon after.
He is survived by his wife and two children,
a daughter, 26, and son, 24.
The Straits Times understands that he had
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan (right) receiving an autographed jersey from
former Liverpool star Phil Thompson yesterday. With them is Football Asia CEO Jon Collins. ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN not complained of feeling unwell before the
run.
His son, Mr Jason Mike Nathan, who is do-
gapore Sports Council. will be attended by football dignitaries clubs to make further inroads into ing his national service, said his father ran at
He attended the launch of Football such as Fifa president Sepp Blatter, Asia’s multi-billion-dollar football mar- least four times a week and did not have any
Asia yesterday, along with the guest of former England manager Sven-Goran ket, where more than a billion viewers known medical conditions.
honour, Minister for Community Devel- Eriksson and Bayern Munich chief across the continent tune in to watch Mindef said 1WO Thivvianathan had arrived
opment, Youth and Sports Vivian Franz Beckenbauer. English Premier League games every in Oklahoma on Oct 1 as part of an advance par-
Balakrishnan, and While no names week. ty to support troops who will be training there
former Liverpool star 쏆 have yet been con- The convention is also a chance for next month.
Phil Thompson. firmed for the Singa- Asian football officials to meet and Lieutenant-Colonel Leow Poh Meng, com-
“It will stimulate the growth of
Mr Oon said: “Foot- pore date, organisers learn from their European counter- manding officer of the SAF Transport Hub
football in Asia – like how to parts.
ball Asia’s goal of be- expect at least 1,500 (West), said 1WO Thivvianathan was well re-
ing the catalyst for develop players, how to run a delegates to sign up. Said Soccerex business development garded by both peers and superiors.
football between the commercial operation at a club, The Singapore director Misha Sher: “The who’s who “To his men, he was a mentor and a friend,”
East and West will cre- how to maximise income from a event, which will be of football will be here, from Fifa, Uefa, he said.
ate spin-offs for the stadium when you build it.” held after next year’s the English Premier League, La Liga Mindef and the SAF extended their deepest
region’s football in- Soccerex business development World Cup in South and the Serie A. It’s an opportunity for condolences to the dead man’s family.
dustry and the larger director Misha Sher Africa, is the first Asia to engage them and learn from Mr Nathan, who used to go jogging with his
sports industry in the Asian offshoot of the their best practices. father, said: “My father looked strict, but he
areas of sports spon- original Soccerex con- “It will stimulate the growth of foot- was a very nice and kind person.”
sorship, broadcast vention. The main ball in Asia – like how to develop play- The family will not be going to Oklahoma,
and merchandising, among other event will be held separately in Rio de ers, how to run a commercial operation and it is believed a post-mortem will be carried
things.” Janeiro next year. at a club, how to maximise income out before the body is flown back here.
The annual Soccerex convention, to Organisers have billed next year’s from a stadium when you build it.” Mindef is investigating the incident.
be held in Johannesburg next month, event as a platform for top European tvoon@sph.com.sg Additional reporting by Sujin Thomas
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