Written by: Aysha Ridzuan

Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League club Albirex Niigata (Singapore) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Yuhua Community Sports Club (CSC) for the fourth year running.

The signing ceremony was held prior to the White Swans’ 2-0 victory against Hougang United at Jurong East Stadium on Saturday night. The MOU will see Albirex donate $1 to the Yuhua CSC for every fan who attends any match at their home ground for the 2016 season.

Also present at the MOU signing was Guest-of-Honour Grace Fu, Adviser to Yuhua Grassroots Organisations, Chairman of Yuhua CSC Lim Chock Sing as well as Albirex Club Chairman Daisuke Korenaga.

Together with Yuhua CSC, Yuhua Albirex Football Academy (YAFA) was formed to provide children with a platform to develop not only technical skills but more importantly, life values through football.

In the past three years, Albirex have collected $56,280 in donation and they aim to continue their support in developing a sporting nation in Singapore.

“We would like to thank Yuhua CSC for their support and commitment over the years and 2015 was a highly successful season for us, winning the Singapore Cup. We were also presented with the People’s Association Community Award,” said Korenaga.

“For 2015, under this collaboration, I am proud to announce that Albirex will donate a record figure of $19,499 to Yuhua CSC.

“I am also pleased to announce that we will continue to support YAFA. Albirex always see ourselves as a local club and this is our fourth year of partnership with Yuhua CSC.

“Going forward, we remain committed to Yuhua CSC to develop a sporting culture in this country.”

Yuhua CSC’s Chairman Lim also took the chance to thank Korenaga for his continuous support and trust in the community.

“I am glad Albirex is extending the partnership for the fourth season. The partnership has gone stronger every year,” noted Lim.

“I have also heard somewhere in an interview that Mr Korenaga said he believes in Singapore, he loves Singapore. His heart is with Singapore and he loves to engage with the Singapore community.

“This program has benefited more than 350 children and besides developing football skills, it focused on character development, life values and at the same time they have also bonded like a family.”