Sports Minutes with Zia-ul Raushan

Should Singapore lean into heritage players? Kai Whitmore certainly thinks so. Eligible through his late grandfather, the Welsh midfielder is ready to give up his British passport to play for the Lions – but not everyone agrees with naturalisation. And on this episode, Kai speaks candidly about identity, sacrifice, and ambition.

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Welsh midfielder Kai Whitmore wants to play for Singapore; exploring citizenship process

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Tsutomo Ogura’s sudden exit throws the Lions into yet another identity crisis -with the crucial Asian Cup qualifiers looming. Gavin Lee steps into the void to take interim charge, but all eyes now turn to Forrest Li’s FAS. In their first major footballing decision, will they get it right? Deepanraj Ganesan, who exclusively broke the story for The Straits Times, sits down with Sports Minutes to dissect it all.

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Departing Singapore coach Tsutomu Ogura hails Lions’ spirit, urges players to make history

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Mike Phelan knows what greatness looks like - having worked alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, first as a player then part of his coaching team. As Fergie’s trusted right-hand man, he helped shape one of football’s most dominant dynasties. From the hairdryers to the heartbreaks, Mike Phelan sits down with Sports Minutes to take us inside life alongside Sir Alex, the Ole comeback, and the club’s modern-day identity crisis.

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A club in transition. A chairman steps aside. And now, a head coach departs. After 8 years at the helm, Desmond Ong bid farewell as Chairman of BG Tampines Rovers on 1st June - and soon after, it’s been confirmed that head coach Gavin Lee will also be departing the club. What triggered this sweeping reset? Is this the end of an era, or the beginning of something new? Sports Minutes sits down with Desmond to talk legacy, leadership and succession.

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Thiruben Thana Rajan recently shattered a 38-year-old national record in the 800m at the Asian Athletics Championships - and that's just the start. From injury comebacks to podium dreams, he sits down with Sports Minutes to share how he balances a full-time job with full-speed ambition. This is more than just a win on track - it’s a story of persistence, planning, and passion.

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On this Father’s Day special of Sports Minutes, Singapore captain Rosnani Azman shares how her late father’s unwavering support shaped her dreams - and how his absence continues to shape her fight - on and off the pitch. This is a tribute to fathers, a reminder to hold them close, and a look at how sport can carry love beyond loss.

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Singapore’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign took flight as the Lions beat Bangladesh 2-1, courtesy of goals from Song Ui Yong and Ikhsan Fandi. Sports Minutes recaps it all with exclusive interviews from Hariss Harun, Hami Syahin & Ikhsan Fandi plus analysis from Deepanraj Ganesan.

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Lions survive late onslaught to claim first win of Asian Cup third-round qualifiers

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Buoyed by a big win against Maldives, next up for Singapore is Bangladesh in the Asian Cup Qualifiers. And ahead of the duel in Dhaka, Sports Minutes heads into the Lions den to check in with Song Ui-Young. From returning after a year's absence due to personal reasons, to a budding midfield partnership with Kyoga Nakamura - it’s all building up to a pivotal 90 minutes that could define Singapore’s qualification hopes on the road to Riyadh.

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Song Ui-young gets Lions recall after year-long absence due to family matters

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Singapore ended a six-game winless streak with a morale-boosting 3-1 win over the Maldives - just in time for their Asian Cup qualifier in Bangladesh on June 10. Ikhsan Fandi marked his return to the side with a brace, while man-of-the-match Safuwan Baharudin made headlines of his own, revealing his club future exclusively to Sports Minutes. Tune in as we hear  from both players and a look ahead to the duel in Dhaka with Deepanraj Ganesan.

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Ikhsan Fandi brace helps Lions end six-match winless run with 3-1 victory over the Maldives

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It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Ikhsan and Ilhan Fandi - but in this candid conversation with Sports Minutes, the brothers speak openly about battling injuries, dealing with setbacks, and rediscovering confidence. And as they return to the Singapore setup, they reflect on their journeys abroad, how they've grown, and the fire that still burns strong. More than just football, this is a conversation of resilience, brotherhood, and unfinished business.

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