Geylang International FC signs MOU with Matsumoto Yamaga FC

SINGAPORE, 23^rd November 2016: Geylang International FC and Matsumoto Yamaga FC, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in a press event, which was held earlier today at the Floating Platform @ Marina.

A soccer clinic attended by over 80 participants, aged 7 to 12 years, conducted by the two clubs and supported by Active SG, kicked off the events for the day.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior representatives of the two clubs and witnessed by officials from Active SG and also the league governing body, S.League, as well as Epson, who initially introduced the two clubs.

This MOU will enable both clubs to establish a platform to exchange expertise and knowledge with the objective of promoting cohesion and development of football between the two clubs.

The MOU spells out possible areas of collaboration such as the exchange of players and technical staff for training attachments and loans. For example, GIFC will be looking to select promising players from its Active SG-GIFC Soccer Academy and junior teams, to send on short training stints with Matsumoto Yamaga FC. Matsumoto Yamaga FC is also looking into the possibility of sending players from their junior team to Singapore for pre-season training stints.

Looking forward to the start of this collaboration, Chairman of Geylang International FC, Mr Ben Teng, mentioned, “I am excited for Geylang International FC to be part of this collaboration with a football club as esteemed as Matsumoto Yamaga FC. I have visited the club in Japan and among the club’s initiatives which most impressed me was their engagement with the local community and that is something which we wish to emulate here in Geylang. Also, this collaboration provides both clubs with an excellent platform for the exchange of expertise through player and coach interactions and attachments. Traditionally, Geylang has placed great emphasis on youth development and this collaboration with Matsumoto Yamaga epitomises that emphasis. Lastly, I would like to thank our sponsor, Epson, who also sponsors Matsumoto Yamaga for linking us up. I have no doubt that this collaboration will benefit both clubs at all levels.”

Gracing the occasion was S.League CEO, Mr Lim Chin, who congratulated the initiative.
“I would like to congratulate Geylang International FC on their new partnership with J.League’s Matsumoto Yamaga FC. With this MOU, I am sure there will be many areas for collaboration and this augurs well for both for our S.League and for Geylang International. I would like to thank Epson and Matsumoto Yamaga FC for your support of Singapore football. I wish both clubs lots of success in this new partnership.”

Mr Yoshiyuki Kato, the General Manager of Matsumoto Yamaga FC also expressed his approval, commenting,“This business partnership is aimed at sharing each other’s expertise on club management such as team management, team strengthening, and developing of both teams while deepening international ties between two countries through football.

As for Matsumoto Yamaga, we would interact with players and teams, organize leaders, exchange/transfer professional athletes between teams, and accept students for practice as a part of our hometown city promotion of “Nagano / Matsumoto,” that lets more people know about Singapore and Matsumoto.

We are very grateful towards all parties involved. In the future, we would like to utilize the various resources that both clubs have and contribute it to further the development of both countries, leagues and clubs.”

As the sponsor for both Matsumoto Yamaga FC (Japan) as well as Geylang International Football Club (Singapore), Epson has facilitated various training stints between youth footballers in Singapore and Japan in 2015 and 2016. Epson Singapore also hosted the inaugural Epson Singapore Cup in September, offering aspiring young footballers an opportunity to gain competition experience and glean tips from professional players. The programmes are in line with Epson’s on-going Corporate Social Responsibility commitment to develop youths through sports.

In attendance for the ceremony today, Mr. Toshimitsu Tanaka, Managing Director (Southeast Asia) of Epson Singapore said, “We are pleased that the two clubs have come together to synergise their efforts and develop plans to facilitate a holistic exchange of skills among the players, especially the younger ones. Both clubs share a common vision in bringing the community together and across cultures though football. Epson will continue to further extend our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts between both Japan and Singapore, and we look forward to more exciting opportunities for youths to grow their passion in football from these two established and well-regarded clubs.”

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About Epson Southeast Asia

Since 1982, Epson has developed a strong presence across major markets in Southeast Asia. Led by the regional headquarters, Epson Singapore Pte Ltd., Epson Southeast Asia spans an extensive network of 10 countries, and is responsible for delivering and supporting Epson’s cutting-edge consumer and business digital imaging products to the customers of these markets through its comprehensive infrastructure of over 360 service outlets, 10 Epson solution centres and 8 manufacturing facilities. http://www.epson.com.sg

About Epson Singapore

Epson is the world's leader in digital imaging solutions. The company’s Singapore operation is also the Regional Headquarters of Seiko Epson Corporation. The company markets and supports Epson printers, scanners, projectors, electronic devices including liquid crystal displays, semiconductors and system devices in South East and South Asia. For more details, please visit www.epson.com.sg

For media enquiries, please contact:

Aizat Ramli
General Manager
Geylang International FC
Email: aizat@gifc.org.sg
Hp: +65 9841 3007

Stephanie Lee
Assistant Marketing Manager
Epson Singapore 
Email: slee@esp.epson.com.sg

Hp: 9220 6158
DID: 6586 5586

Lim Wee Ling 
Asia PR Werkz for Epson Singapore
Email: weeling@asiaprwerkz.com
Hp: 9768 6827
DID: 6812 9808