Jaswinder Singh, a football coach of Indian-origin, was recently appointed as the head coach of FC Jurong, one of Singapore’s most successful clubs.

The Singaporean has been part of the club’s youth teams since 2020 and has steadily risen through the ranks. In a chat with The Hindu, the 38-year-old spoke about his Indian connection and said that both countries can learn from each other to develop the sport.

“I have been following Indian football. Over the past decade, I believe there have been some positives, such as India cracking the top 100 in the world ranking, Bengaluru’s AFC Cup run, as well as hosting the U-17 World Cup, to just to name a few,” said Jaswinder, who will take over at FC Jurong, which is part-owned by Indian firm SkaSports, from the 2026-27 season.

“India is definitely a country with great sporting potential and has made some great strides in the last decade. But I believe consistency is the key factor everyone is looking for. I would definitely be interested in collaborating should something come up in the near future,” he added.

Cooperation

On the possible areas of cooperation, Jaswinder explained, “I think both countries have vast expertise that can be exchanged that could help either side improve. For example, the use of technology in football.”

Similarly, he felt there were lessons to be learned from India’s diverse culture. “I think the idea of bringing together players from different States, cultures and spoken languages and getting these players to fight for a common cause is something we can always improve on despite our relatively small size as a country,” he said.

Regarding his personal ties to India, Jaswinder — whose grandparents were from the Tarn Taran district in Punjab — revealed that he keeps visiting the country and is proud of his roots.

“As a person of Sikh heritage, I maintain a strong connection to my cultural and spiritual roots by regularly visiting Amritsar and the Golden Temple.

“These visits allow me to stay connected to my traditions, values, and community, while also providing an opportunity for reflection and personal growth,” he said.

SkaSports Investments Private Limited, a fully Indian-owned organisation, has acquired a minority stake in NSG Global Pte Ltd, the parent and management company of top division Singapore club Football Club Jurong (FC Jurong) playing in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).

The club, known currently as Albirex Niigata Football Club (S), plays its matches at the Jurong East Stadium and is one of the eight teams that forms the top division SPL.

The club was founded in 2004 and is a six-time SPL champion. The club has officially announced a name change to FC Jurong for 2026, which will take effect from the 2026-27 season.

Sharing his thoughts on the investment, Rohit Ramesh, Director of SkaSports, said: “We are excited to partner with FC Jurong and begin this journey together. This partnership is built on a shared vision to strengthen the club’s foundations, enhance its overall value and support its continued progression as a competitive and forward-looking football institution in Singapore.”

Sudhir Menon, Director of SkaSports, added, “We are delighted to come on board and be part of FC Jurong’s journey. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside a strong management team and build on the momentum already in place, with a clear focus on unlocking long term growth, international opportunities and elevating the club’s presence in Singapore and the wider region.”

Meanwhile, Daisuke Korenaga, Chairman of NSG Global Pte Ltd & FC Jurong, said. “Our partnership with SKA Sports represents an important step for FC Jurong as we seek to grow beyond Singapore and expand across Asia.

“Based in Singapore, a hub of Asia where companies and cultures from around the world intersect, we aim to build a unique growth model for FC Jurong by combining Japan’s accumulated expertise in club management and player development with the tremendous growth potential of India, home to nearly 1.5 billion people.”