Football coaching programme graduation ceremony – Opening remarks by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, acting minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State, MHA

Mr Hilton Freund, Global Chief Executive Officer of the Twinning Project

Mr Badri Ghent, General Secretary of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS)

Ms Shie Yong Lee, Commissioner of Prisons

Coaches from the Young Lions Football Club

Family members

Prison staff

Graduands

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

1. I am happy to join you today as we celebrate this meaningful milestone — the graduation of 16 young men from this inspiring football coaching programme. Over the past six weeks, the Reformative Trainees (RTs) learnt professional football coaching skills from the Young Lions coaches. Today, they will graduate with a FAS Grassroots Coaching certificate. Well Done!

2. This initiative where we use football to promote rehabilitation and reintegration is a first-of-its-kind partnership in Southeast Asia.

Appreciation for FIFA Foundation, Twinning Project, Young Lions, and the Football Association of Singapore

3. I would like to express my gratitude to the FIFA Foundation whose commitment to using football as a force for positive social change has brought this initiative to life. Since 2024, FIFA Foundation and Twinning Project have implemented this football coaching programme in the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, South Africa, and today, in Singapore.

4. I also extend heartfelt thanks to The Twinning Project, an initiative that pairs professional football clubs with prisons. Based on The Twinning Project’s guiding principle, “Don’t look down on someone unless you are helping them back up”, this partnership equips inmates with structured football coaching skills, builds their confidence, and prepares them for reintegration into society.

5. We are also proud to have the Young Lions Football Club involved in this programme. Every weekend over the last six weeks, the Young Lions coaches have generously given their time and expertise to train the RTs. Their participation brings professional coaching expertise into this rehabilitation context and also fresh hope and aspirations to the RTs. I want to thank the coaches here, really appreciate you spending your time here and inspiring our participants.

6. My thanks also go to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). Through initiatives like this, FAS continues to promote teamwork, discipline and inclusivity as essential values both on and off the field.

7. I was listening to Mr. Hilton's speech. I feel very inspired about the issue of hope, the issue of how we want to look into the future and provide opportunities. Such an opportunity open doors towards not only rehabilitation and reintegration, but our quest in search for better lives. I think that those are very important elements that we want each and every one, every individual to have the opportunity. We want to do that better and better in Singapore, so that we can give “beyond the second chances” to everyone.

Appreciation for Family Members, Prison Staff, and Inmates

8. To the family members and loved ones who are here, I would like to sincerely thank you for your unwavering support which has helped these graduands reach this important moment. Your support fuels hope, builds resilience, and strengthens the bonds that help them reintegrate into society. Don't stop giving them your support. What I feel and pick up whenever I speak to participants or friends inside, they really appreciate that we make the effort to come to listen to them, where every single word that you say, your body language that you show, your presence and interaction with them here, really touch their lives. So, continue to give your fullest support because they really appreciate.

9. To my fellow SPS colleagues, thank you for the good work you do every day, not only today. You are Captains of Lives in keeping the inmates in secure custody and facilitating their rehabilitation and reintegration journey. This initiative is testament to the Singapore Prison Service’s commitment to its mission of reducing re-offending and galvanising the community for second chances.

10. Today, we celebrate each of you — the graduands — for your dedication, hard work, and commitment to learning. You have shown that with determination and support, new skills can be developed, confidence can grow, and pathways into future employment can open. Graduation today is not an end, but I would also like to echo what Mr Hilton said, it is a beginning, it will open more doors — a step forward towards opportunity, self-belief, and positive contribution to society.

Closing

11. In closing, let us remember that change happens when communities come together. May today’s celebration inspires us to continue working hand in hand to support rehabilitation, build stronger communities, and create brighter futures towards a “We First” society in Singapore.

12. Next few days, we are going to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I would like to wish all our Chinese friends here a happy Chinese New Year. For the Muslims, we are also beginning our fasting and wish you a happy Ramadan, a blessed Ramadan to all our Muslim friends. In Singapore, we are multi-racial and we celebrate, we also understand and have mutual respect for building Singapore as a multi-cultural community.

13. Once again, congratulations to all of you! Thank you.