The truth about professional football in Singapore, according to Shah Shahiran

The 26-year-old is a centre midfielder for BG Tampines Rovers, and has been a consistent, dependable presence in Singapore football for years. He was also recently nominated as Player of the Year at the Singapore Premier League Awards.

He grew up in Bedok, playing street soccer frequently. Since he was young, he says, he’d always wanted to be a national footballer. “I just enjoy playing football. The fun and laughter with my friends, that’s what keeps me going,” says Shah.

I ask about the match in Hong Kong. All five players describes it as surreal and emotional, but Shah’s telling of it is the most unguarded. “A few of us cried after the match,” he reveals.

He is also brutally honest about what it takes to be a professional footballer. He shares: “People think playing in Singapore is very easy, but they don’t know what we go through behind the scenes: the injuries, the recovery, the rehab, the discipline, the time we don’t get to spend with our families.” He pauses. “That’s our rice bowl. If we don’t perform week in, week out, who knows, we don’t get a contract for next year.”

It is, perhaps, the most plainly spoken version of something all five players circle around in different ways: Professional football in Singapore is not yet a glamorous career – not in the way the sport is glamorised in other parts of the world. Shah says that he hopes to continue his football journey for 10, maybe 20, years.

“If you love football, you will do whatever it takes to get back on your feet, even if you face a setback,” he says. His tone is gentle, but his eyes don’t waver.

PHOTOGRAPHY: DARREN GABRIEL LEOW
CREATIVE DIRECTION & STYLING: LENA KAMARUDIN ASSISTED BY: CHARIS GAN
ART DIRECTION: RAY TICSAY
HAIR: MANISA TAN
GROOMING: ZHOU AIYI, USING SHISEIDO