Sleague Class of 2007

4 March, Sleague 2007 kicked off with Home United taking on Korean Super Reds. I was there, with Huang. It was his last ENG job, after which, he would be transferred to studio. What an irony! He's using his Sleague pass for the first and the last time. For me, it would be a step up the ladder. This is my first season as Sleague Producer. I was already thinking when would I be given the chance to take the hot seat.

But the next thing I knew, I was left without an AP for Sleague and would have to double up. When the first Live game finally arrived, plenty of went the wrong way. I was given an earful by Ah Gong, and almost cried in his office. But a part of me felt that his harsh words were valid.

Three months down the road, I was still the AP for Sleague. Things certainly didn’t look bright at that time, and I was resigned to fate – I would always be the AP for Live matches. Then came one day when Alvin insisted I take over him as he requested for a crash course on Clarity. I directed the game for the first time – a full match. Two weeks later, I heard from Alvin that Ah Gong thought it was him directing. I was in seventh heaven.

So it was decided. Whenever Alvin is scheduled to direct, I could find a freelance AP so that I can direct. Soon, the opportunity arrived for me to direct a live football game. Alvin stood behind and I was stressed beyond words. Ideally, I would like Joanne to be the one doing Clarity, still I managed to get through. My EP’s words were, my vision is like horse. I need to look at all the camera. Some of my crew did offer me very good shots, which I did not use.

August arrived, and Alvin had to go to Beijing for Olympics meeting while Biao Shu will be in New York. Remesh couldn’t direct and for the first time, I would be doing it alone. Getting Joanne on board, I went solo for the first time and to summarise the whole experience, and to quote Joanne, I directed a Korean drama. Alvin actually commented that I was already so confident in going solo? I told him having him in there makes me more nervous.

Directed a couple more matches, and there was once that the OB Van broke down on the way to JBS and needed a tow truck to tow the Van there. The OB boys managed to set everything up in record time for us. These boys never failed to amaze me. To think the OB Van arrived at 5.30pm and the boys managed to complete everything in time for Live transmission at 7.30pm! Whoa!

Then came one afternoon where they had to set up in the rain. Allen went without shoes and said it was easier to work like that. And from the bottom of my heart, I really appreciate their blood and sweat in the setup. I knew it was never easy to work in OB with all the cabling and stuff.

There was three games that Ah Mee ordered food from International Catering. As they delivered the food late to office. We all sat there waiting. The game at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, we had Nasi Lemak from Adam Road Hawker Centre. The boys enjoyed these rare treats every much.

2 November, Sleague live games went around the island, kicking off with the Singapore Cup Semi-Final game between SAF FC and Woodlands Wellington. Eight goals in the game and Alvin said they thought it was Biao Shu directing.

Directing matches in the containers were never easy. I would have to shout above the noise from Clarity, if not I can’t hear myself. But the crews’ ears had a hard time and Uncle Yam wrote me a note, which I vowed to bring it with me whenever I direct studio or OB. I begged Meng not to give me “HD” cam anymore. To use them in the day are alright, but not in the night. And the next time when we were using container, Meng actually dismantled the cameras from the OB for me. I was so touched.

The game at Hougang marked the last live game for Raymond Ee. I sent him home and he bought me a tub of Ben & Jerry ice-cream despite me having lost my voice and coughing my lungs out. He said I could eat it after I recovered.

Jurong East was fun. It was my best directed match since I started directing football. Remesh gave another lesson to me and I watched the game he directed before the game. When I reached there, I actually made Cam 7 and 8 shift their camera down after they have been setup. Paul Ge Ge arrived late and had to RVO. It was the first time I do RVO, same just like the first time I cut penalty; I almost had a nervous breakdown. Allen was my EVS that day and I guessed he had a pretty hard time. But I was so proud of myself when Aziz gave me a pat on the shoulder and said well-done!

The last live game saw me back at the AP seat, doing graphics for Alvin Ong. Rabi said Alvin only do the opening and closing ceremony. Kiok arrived with the cakes and yakults. My way of showing appreciation to the crew who have worked so hard for the entire season. Lau, same like last year, did the last game of the season.


I went to the final game of the season at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium to witness SAF retaining their League title. RO was there, and I ate cotton candy. There were plenty of thoughts in my head, and I would have never complete this season without my ENG crews, who functioned without producer for so long. I expressed my heartfelt thanks here, to all of you.

I wrapped up the season by arriving at the OB office in a skirt to take pictures with the crew. They thought I leaving. Which might be true, in time to come. Nonetheless, a big thank you to all of you. It’s been a wonderful season, you guys have taught me plenty. And I hope, I haven’t been too big a disappointment to you.