State of field questioned
18/12/07

With the games coming thick and fast over the festive periods, both International and FC team plying in Division 6 and 8 are left with 3 more games till the end of the season. For the FC team though, their next game will be on 6 January. As for the International side, fixtures has been slated this weekend against Raptors and next weekend against ACE Team. The question now remained which not only have left the club fuming, how does the state of the pitch over at Chinese Recreation Club be deemed as playable? Over the weeks, it has been highlighted in many reports by the teams playing their fixtures on the field but it has fallen on deaf ears. With both games by the FC and International side being played over at that field last weekend and another game being slated this weekend for the International team, it looks like teams now have a part to play.

It has been clearly stated in league charter that the administrators of the league will ensure a good playing pitch for its games. Teams generally accept the fact that good pitches are hard to come by but to play in a field which in a state of disrepair, muddied and even potholes doesn’t bodes well for any team. If games from comparable leagues like the Cosmoleague have their fixtures cancelled due to the state of the field, questions is now being raised as to why are our league games still being played over at Chinese Recreation Club? Is it because that field is the only field being allowed to be played come rain, shine and storm since it’s a well-known fact that fiels from SSC are hard to come back during this period since most are closed for maintenance? This questions being raised by the club have been left unanswered. A little known fact for teams is both teams have the right to refuse to play on such fields even if the referee wants to carry on with the game. Perhaps it’s time teams invoke this right.

Over at Division 8, another issue arose with the likes of Redstar and Assumption reportedly having issues with their financial administration which we hope it will be resolved by the respective teams. But an interesting twist to this saga has left yet more questions. FC team was slated to have a scheduled fixtures against Assumption on the 9th December but it was postponed to 20 January, citing issues whereby financial deadlines are not being met by the team Assumption. In the league charter P5, it clearly spelt out that teams will have their games forfeited until their financial obligation the their games are being resolved. Thus to have the schedule postponed instead have raised questions as to whether they are two different league charters for teams.

Till now, this issue have yet to be formally replied by the league administrators. These are genuine questions being raised for the well-being of the league which some teams do want to know.