Former Lion City Sailors director Badri Ghent appointed as new FAS general secretary

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Badri Ghent has taken on the role of Football Association of Singapore general secretary.

SINGAPORE – The Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) new leadership team is shaking things up with a new man hired to run local football’s governing body.

The FAS announced on Sept 1 that Badri Ghent, who has stepped down as sporting director of Singapore Premier League champions Lion City Sailors, has been appointed FAS’ general secretary.

The general secretary is the top official at the FAS secretariat and Badri is seen as the first major hire by the new council. FAS president and tech billionaire Forrest Li and his slate of candidates were elected to a four-year term at an extraordinary congress in April.

Badri, 36, will replace Chew Chun Liang, who has resigned.

The FAS general secretary is responsible for day-to-day operations, implementation of strategies and policies, and the hiring of department heads.

In a statement on Sept 1, FAS noted that Badri brings with him a wealth of experience in football management and operations, adding that the appointment “comes at a pivotal moment for Singapore football”.

It said: “With a strong track record of success, effective implementation, and deep experience across both club and developmental structures, he is well-positioned to lead FAS in its mission to elevate the game at all levels, from grassroots to elite international performance.”

The FAS also extended its gratitude to Chew “for his dedicated service and contributions to Singapore football during his tenure”.

FAS president Li said that Badri brings more than a decade of experience in Singapore football and a deep understanding of its ecosystem.

Li added: “His experience, from management roles at Home United to his leadership at Lion City Sailors, reflects his ability to raise standards and build strong structures. We are confident that his leadership as general secretary will help us drive forward the Council’s priorities, strengthen the national team, and elevate Singapore football in the years ahead.”

Badri succeeds Chew, 48, who only started work as general-secretary last November after being appointed by the previous leadership team led by then-president Bernard Tan. He was chosen after a two-month search to fill the post vacated by Yazeen Buhari, who announced his resignation in July 2024 after more than six years at the helm.

Chew was previously the chief executive of the Sailors from 2020 to 2022. He had joined FAS from the Agency for Integrated Care, where he was deputy chief of the care systems integration division.

While its executive council appoints the technical director and national coach, Badri is also expected to be involved in the search for both, with this likely to be the top item on his in-tray.

Former Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura resigned in June due to personal reasons while former technical director Michael Browne’s contract expired in July.

Badri is respected as a shrewd operator in local football and was the club’s general manager before being appointed as sporting director in 2022. Some of the notable milestones during his tenure at the Sailors included the opening of the country’s first integrated football training facility in 2022, and the historic achievement in May of becoming the first Singapore club to reach the final of a continental competition, the AFC Champions League Two.

A business management graduate from the University of Birmingham, Badri’s career began at national agency Sport Singapore in 2010 before he moved on to non-governmental organisation Singapore Environment Council and later on Home United – the previous iteration of the Sailors – in 2014.

He started off in Home’s business development team before becoming team manager, head of football and later on general manager.

On Sept 1, the Sailors paid tribute to Badri, whom they described as having been “pivotal in shaping the club’s direction both on and off the pitch”.

“His vision and leadership raised the level of professionalism, strengthened the football structure, and cultivated a culture of excellence that will serve the Sailors well for years to come,” added the Sailors.

“He was instrumental in the club’s privatisation in 2020, which saw the birth of the modern-day Sailors. In his role as Sporting Director, Badri spearheaded the club’s sporting strategy and player recruitment processes, while continuing to oversee its broader direction. While we are sad to see him leave, we take pride in knowing that Singapore football will now benefit from his expertise.”

Technical director Luka Lalic will step in as acting sporting director, said the club.

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