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NATIONAL CORPORATE LEAGUE 2008
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Congratulations Team Land Transport Authority! (photo above)
Our Newly-crowned National Corporate Champions 2008.
Well done, Singapore Prisons! 1st Runners-up for National Corporate League 2008. (photo above)
Certis Cisco came in 2nd Runners-up. Great job, guys! (photo above)
Champions of the Banking and Finance League! (photo above)
Champions of the Hospitality and Services League! (photo above)
Champions of the Shipping and Logistics League! (photo above)
Opening Ceremony - 14th October 2008, Tuesday
The start of a new dawn in Corporate Football materialised at Fico Sports Hub on 14th October 2008, when Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee, President of FAS, launched the opening ceremony of the National Corporate League 2008. The atmosphere was fantastic and almost carnival like, however you can feel the tension in the air as the teams prepare to do their battle royal.
Over a 5-week period, these brave gentlemen will attempt to do their company proud, they will battle it out on the pitch for the prestige and the right to be called The National Corporate Champion.
The championship comprises of 4 sectors: Banking and Finance, Hospitality and Services, Shipping and Logistics and Civil Service. The response to this inaugural event is overwhelming with teams pleading to join at the last minute.
Assoc Prof Ho also went on to issue a rallying cry to the “Shenton Way crowd” and working individuals gathered: Do your part for Singapore! Go on down to the matches and support them. The standard of local soccer has improved over the years and deserves our recognition.
Among the early matches, the team that impressed the most was LTA who shipped 8 goals past JTC Corporation. This amazing start bode promising signs for the National Corporate League which left all spectators and VIPs bedazzled with its great spirit and heart.
Closing Ceremony - 11th November 2008, Tuesday
The sun may have set, the dust settled, the football shoes washed and hanged but while the fun lasted, every single one of the 29 teams that took part showed exactly why the National Corporate League is THE league to be in.
The day began with lots of rain but it sure didn’t dampen the lively spirits of the participants. Every team turned up and they were not going to let a little rain stop them from having their fun. The tables quickly filled up from 6pm onwards and at 7pm sharp, the last round of matches commenced.
Perhaps bearing in mind it was the teams’ last chance to shine, they went all out to play fantasy football. The quality, like for every single week, has been of superb quality and we have been astounded by the sheer talent on the pitch. The display of sportsmanship was also at the highest level and truly touched our hearts. Bravo gentlemen! You have upped the prestige of not only your team but also of the National Corporate League.
After the last matches were played at 9pm, prizes were given out to the top 2 of each League. Hold it though, no one went back home empty-handed. We gave a token of appreciation to every participating team. Please let us take some time out to give a special mention to 2 teams. Sembawang Shipyard really lived up to its name and banner – Losing is NOT in our Vocabulary. Along with Marina Mandarin Singapore, they were the only teams left undefeated in the tournament. But it’s still too early to say as the Champions League looms ahead on 18 November. Will they meet in the final? The football opera is not over yet!
To all teams who did not make it to the Champions League, do not lose heart! True champions aren’t always the one who win, but those with the most guts. To us at Fico Sports Hub, each and everyone of you is a Champion.
The following 8 teams made it to our National Champions League. Well Done!
Civil Service League: Land Transport Authority (C), Prisons Sports And Recreation Club
Banking & Finance League: GIC Team A (C), ANZ Blue
Hospitality & Services League: Marina Mandarin (C), Certis Cisco
Shipping & Logistics League: Sembawang Shipyard (C), Maritime Port Authority
*C - Champions
National Champions League - 18 November 2008, Tuesday
The Champions League was full of excitement today! Land Transport Authority won their semi-final match-up against Marina Mandarin while Singapore Prisons prevailed against Certis Cisco. Certis Cisco won their third-placing match against Marina Mandarin and what a thrilling match it was! The score was see-sawing through out and the eventual score was 6-5.
The finals was full of thrills and spills. Singapore Prisons and Land Transport Authority both did not disappoint. Both teams went for the kill from the first whistle. Land Transport Authority managed to take an early lead but you can never write off Singapore Prisons who played admirably. However, it was not to be with Land Transport Authority being crowned deserving Champions with a score of 4-2. Congratulations to the 1st Champions of the National Champions League!