TO MARK their 10th year in the S-League, Albirex Niigata on tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yuhua Community Sports Club (CSC).

The MOU is the first of its kind between an S-League club and a grassroots organisation here.

Said Albirex chairman Daisuke Korenaga: "This shows Albirex are very serious about reaching out to the local community.

"About 70 per cent of our fanbase are Singaporeans, and we want even more, especially from Yuhua, to come watch our games."

Yuhua CSC chairman Lim Chock Sing added: "We started working with Albirex since early last year, and we are very glad they have come on board as our partners.

"On our part, we will help Albirex distribute their match fixtures to all the RCs (resident committees) in the Yuhua constituency, and we hope more residents will come to watch their games."

Yuhua grassroots adviser Grace Fu, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, was the guest of honour at the signing ceremony.

The White Swans decided to embark on the initiative as a way to give back to the community they have been based in since they first competed in the S-League in 2004.

Albirex, the satellite team of the J-League club of the same name, will donate $1 to the Yuhua CSC for every fan who turns up to their Jurong East Stadium home this season.

The total aggregate donation sum will be donated via cheque to the beneficiary or beneficiaries in Yuhua division, identified by the CSC, at the end of the football season.



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