The seventh edition of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Awards Night marking the end of the 2023 domestic football season, was held at Orchard Hotel this evening. This prestigious annual event, held amidst an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, aims to honour the brightest talents of the year and honour the achievements of members of the football fraternity.
The coveted AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) Player of the Year award was claimed by Maxime Lestienne, who dazzled the entire season with several stellar performances for Lion City Sailors. Not only was he instrumental in setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates with 21 assists, but his haul of 25 goals also earned him the Golden Boot award as well.
Albirex Niigata (S)’s prolific forward Seia Kunori was named AIA Young Player of the Year while his coach, the seasoned Kazuaki Yoshinaga, secured his fourth POLAR Mineral Water Coach of the Year award, solidifying his position as one of the most successful coaches in this category.
Tanjong Pagar United forward Khairul Amri’s stunning strike against Hougang United earned him the SPL Goal of the Season award, while Syazwan Buhari received the SPL Golden Gloves for his outstanding displays in goal for Tampines Rovers.
The AIA SPL Team of the Year featured exceptional talents such as Hakeme Yazid (Brunei DPMM), Ryoya Taniguchi (Balestier Khalsa), and Asahi Yokokawa (Albirex Niigata (S)), celebrating their outstanding skills and performances throughout the 2023 season. A distinguished judging panel, comprising the 2023 monthly awards panel, head coaches, and captains from the nine SPL clubs, played a crucial role in selecting the nominees and eventual winners.
In the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) category, Kitahara Kana received the Deloitte Player of the Year award for her exceptional contribution of 17 crucial goals to Albirex Niigata (S)’s commendable finish in the league. Tanjong Pagar United’s Dhaniyah Qasimah was named the Young Player of the Year, while Yeong Sheau Shyan clinched the Coach of the Year accolade after guiding the Lion City Sailors to back-to-back league titles.
Acknowledging the crucial role of referees in maintaining the laws of the game, the SELECT Referee of the Year and Assistant Referee of the Year awards were presented to Andrea Verolino and Ronnie Koh Min Kiat, respectively.
The Singapore Football Leagues (SFL) 1 and 2 witnessed stellar performances, with Chang Guo Guang picking up both the SFL 1 Player of the Year and Golden Boot accolades, while Sukhvinder Singh claimed the SFL 1 Coach of the Year award. In SFL 2, Sharul Shah secured both the Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards, with Yahya Madon receiving the SFL2 Coach of the Year honour.
The FAS Recognition Awards celebrated seven deserving recipients, including former Singapore internationals Sharil Ishak and Noor Kusumawati Rosman who had hung up their football boots this past year.
Full list of award recipients for FAS Awards Night 2023:
AIA Singapore Premier League Award Nominee Club/Affiliation Recipient
AIA Player of the Year: Maxime Lestienne (Lion City Sailors)
AIA Young Player of the Year: Seia Kunori (Albirex Niigata FC (S))
POLAR Mineral Water Coach of the Year: Kazuaki Yoshinaga (Albirex Niigata FC (S))
SELECT Goal of the Year: Khairul Amri (Tanjong Pagar United)
SPL Golden Boot: Maxime Lestienne (Lion City Sailors)
SPL Golden Glove: Syazwan Buhari (Tampines Rovers)
SINGAPORE POOLS Fair Play Award: Albirex Niigata FC
AIA SPL Team of the Year: Syazwan Buhari, Milos Zlatkovic & Kyoga Nakamura (Tampines Rovers), Asashi Yokokawa, Koki Kawachi & Seia Kunori (Albirex Niigata (S)), Diego Lopes, Maxime Lestienne & Shawal Anuar (Lion City Sailors), Ryoya Taniguchi (Balestier Khalsa) & Hakeme Yazid (Brunei DPMM)
Deloitte Women’s Premier League
Deloitte Player of the Year: Kitahara Kana (Albirex Niigata (S))
Young Player of the Year: Dhaniyah Qasimah (Tanjong Pagar United)
Coach of the Year: Yeong Sheau Shyan (Lion City Sailors)
Referee Awards
SELECT Referee of the Year: Andrea Verolino
SELECT Assistant Referee of the Year: Ronnie Koh Min
Media Awards
Story of the Year: Kenneth Tan (Lion City Sailors) – Yes, we work like women – and it’s been wildly effecve
Photo of the Year: Ashok Kumar (Lion City Sailors) – Beguiling mix of Belgian muscle and magic
Singapore Football League 1
Player of the Year: Chang Guo Guang (Singapore Cricket Club)
Coach of the Year: Sukhvinder Singh (Singapore Khalsa Association)
Golden Boot: Chang Guo Guang (Singapore Cricket Club)
Fair Play Award: Katong FC
Singapore Football League 2
Player of the Year: Sharul Shah (Kaki Bukit SC)
Coach of the Year: Yahya Madon (Police SA)
Golden Boot: Sharul Shah (Kaki Bukit SC)
Fair Play Award: Singapore Xinhua
FAS Centre of Excellence Under-21 League
Golden Boot: Kian Jared Ghadessy (Balestier Khalsa)
Fair Play Award: Lion City Sailors
FAS Centre of Excellence Under-17 League
Golden Boot: Abdul Muqsid Izzet (Geylang International)
Fair Play Award: Tampines Rovers
FAS Centre of Excellence Under-15 League
Golden Boot: Jadon Quah (Lion City Sailors)
Fair Play Award: Lion City Sailors
FAS Recognition Awards
FAS Special Award, Sporting Excellence in Singapore Football
: Shahril Ishak
: Noor Kusumawati Rosman
For Contribution to Singapore’s Pillars of Football – Capability Development
: Chia Eng Wah John
: Muhammad Taqi Aljaafari Jahari
: Salikin Sarkawi
: Abdul Salim Ahmed Ibrahim
: Chin Kok Chua
Main Photo: FAS
Article: Official Press Release by FAS.
Special Note: Junpiter Futbol’s Jun Tan is part of the distinguished judging panel in the selection process of the nominees and eventual winners.
