Sports Minutes with Zia-ul Raushan
About
Delve beyond the headlines in the world of sport to suss out the synergy between sport and daily life by tuning in daily for all the big sporting stories, quirky anecdotes and hot takes on Sports Minutes.
AUG 7, 2025
07/08/25 - Sports Minutes: Forrest Li & his team share their vision and vigour to resurrect Singapore football
A bombshell SEA Games omission. A league with no sponsor. A national team in transition. On his 100th day in charge, Forrest Li & his team had some hard questions to answer. Reporting from the FAS Media Day, Sports Minutes recaps how Singapore football’s new leadership is plotting a bold revival - and why the road ahead will need more than just vision and vigour.
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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13:18
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AUG 6, 2025
06/08/25 - Sports Minutes: Not all heroes hold trophies, some hold cameras. Ashok Kumar is one of them
With National Day looming large, Sports Minutes celebrates the everyday heroes who shape our sporting culture. Meet Ashok Kumar, the photographer who captures joy, pain and glory, then disappears into the background. Hear what it takes to shoot at the highest level, why trust matters more than fame, and what keeps him coming back for more.
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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16:39
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AUG 4, 2025
04/08/25 - Sports Minutes: Harhys Stewart on choosing Kosovo over comfort zones, Ogura's impact and paving the way for other Singaporeans
Leaving home isn’t just about distance - it’s about daring. Harhys Stewart’s journey from Singapore to Kosovo (via Thailand) is a story of bravery, belief, and breaking the mould. And speaking to Sports Minutes - he reflects on his late start, adapting to the unknown, and why he hopes his bold move inspires the next wave of Singaporean footballers.
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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23:00
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AUG 1, 2025
01/08/25 - Sports Minutes: More foreign players; Setback for local talent or step up for the SPL?
Change is never easy, especially when controversial. The SPL’s new rule allowing seven foreign players per match has sparked uproar, with many fearing it threatens local players’ chances. Yet, this influx could also boost the league’s standards and competitiveness. So, which matters more? Local legend Abbas Saad and former Welsh international Rob Earnshaw join Sports Minutes to share their views.
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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12:04
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JUL 29, 2025
29/07/25 - Sports Minutes: Eye-catching names on the Singapore head coach shortlist, but will reputation trump relevance?
With the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Harry Kewell, Nick Montgomery and Mano Polking on the list, Singapore’s search for Tsutomo Ogura's replacement signals ambition. But will reputation trump relevance? Deepanraj Ganesan, who exclusively broke the shortlist for The Straits Times, sits down with Sports Minutes to share his thoughts.
READ MORE:
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/world-cup-winner-fabio-cannavaro-among-list-of-top-names-for-singapore-football-coach
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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18:30
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JUL 28, 2025
28/07/25 - Sports Minutes: Empty seats at the Festival of Football spark online debate about ticket prices
Football's household names may have graced the pitch - Arsenal, AC Milan, Newcastle. But thousands of seats remained untouched. What should’ve been a celebration of the beautiful game has instead become a flashpoint, with fans voicing frustration over ticket costs and accessibility. So were the fans truly priced out?
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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14:19
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JUL 25, 2025
25/07/25 - Sports Minutes: Journeyman to Jaguar, Aaron Evans on why he chose to embark on a Singaporean adventure with Tanjong Pagar United
Why would a battle-tested Aussie defender - who’s played across Indonesia, India, and Hong Kong - join Tanjong Pagar United, a side that finished bottom of the pile last season? Aaron Evans sits down with Sports Minutes to unpack his bold leap into Singapore football, and how he plans to lead a renewed Jaguars side with grit, fight, and foresight.
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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28:25
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JUL 23, 2025
23/07/25 - Sports Minutes: "We're ready to go one better!" - Geylang International's Nikola Ignjatovic and Raiyaan Noor on the Eagles' ambition
Every season begins with a story. For Nikola Ignjatovic, it’s a leap into the unknown. For Raiyaan Noor, it’s stepping out of his fathe Noor Ali's shadows. Together, they represent Geylang International’s next chapter. In this heart-on-sleeve episode, the Eagles duo reflect on expectations, pressure, family ties and more.
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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16:21
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JUL 21, 2025
21/07/25 - Sports Minutes: Setbacks to comebacks, Jacob Mahler and Joel Chew ready to rise with BG Tampines Rovers
From injury comebacks to national team heartbreaks, Singaporean midfielders Jacob Mahler and Joel Chew have lived the highs and lows of football. Now reunited at BG Tampines Rovers - the duo sit down with Sports Minutes to talk about their friendship, football ambition, and what it means to be part of Singapore’s next generation.
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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18:13
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JUL 18, 2025
18/07/25 - Sports Minutes: Lion City Sailors signal their intentions with a flurry of eye-catching additions
The Lion City Sailors aren’t just building a team - they’re sending a message. With the blockbuster signing of Brazilian striker Anderson Lopes hot on the heels of Tsiy Ndenge, Ivan Sušak, and Safuwan Baharudin, Singapore’s ONLY privatized football club is making it clear: they’re not here to play catch-up - they’re here to compete with Asia’s elite. Big names. Big ambition. But will big spending bring big success?
READ MORE:
Lion City Sailors score coup with two-time J1 League top scorer Anderson Lopes
Got a story to tell? Get in touch!
raushan@sph.com.sg
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17:55
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