Sports Minutes with Zia-ul Raushan

Bernard Tan, the outgoing president of the Football Association of Singapore, reflects on his tenure at the helm - marked by both significant efforts and heavy criticism. He explains his decision not to seek re-election, explores the highs and discusses the lessons learnt from the lows. So was he the right man at the wrong time, or was he the wrong man regardless of the time? Tune in and decide fo...

The Lion City Sailors took a big step towards the AFC Champions League Two final with a first leg 2-0 win over Sydney FC at a rain-soaked Jalan Besar. And on this star-studded edition of Sports Minutes - Bart Ramselaar & Bailey Wright weigh in on the team’s form and focus. Adam Swandi adds a dash of swagger reflecting on his former team's heroics, while The Straits Times’...

Wheelchair rugby isn’t just a sport — it’s a statement. And on this episode of Sports Minutes, we speak to Edgar Cheong and Sheikh Muhd Danial - two players and change makers driving Singapore’s adaptive sports scene. From spinal injuries to stadium lights, they share how resilience, creativity, and community fuel their lives both on and off the court. And with the Singlife...

From leading Tanjong Pagar to stepping up with Lion City Sailors and earning his first Singapore caps, Akram Azman’s 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable. And on Sports Minutes, he reflects on the whirlwind start to the year - joining a title-chasing squad, adjusting to continental football, and making his mark on the national stage.  Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph....

Ever so often, a footballer emerges who takes the game by storm. With talent and a winner’s mentality, they become the pride of club and country. In Singapore’s women’s football scene, one name stands out—Danelle Tan. At just 20, she’s won trophies with Borussia Dortmund, scored for the Lionesses, and now battles new challenges with Brisbane Roar. Speaking on the side...

From almost hanging up his boots to hitting his best-ever goal tally—Ignatius Ang is having a season to remember. But despite his standout performances for Balestier Khalsa, a national team call-up still eludes him. And on Sports Minutes, we unpack the highs and lows of his journey—his resurgence on the pitch, the motivation he draws from coaching young players, and the reality of Sing...

Netball Singapore is entering a bold new era. With Daniel Ho at the helm as CEO and Tara Steel leading the charge as head coach & technical director, the Vandas are gearing up for an action-packed 2025. And on Sports Minutes, we dive into their vision, the game plan for Singapore’s netball future, and what it will take to elevate the sport. From high-performance strategies to growing the...

Despite a much-improved effort, Singapore had to settle for point in their Asian Cup Qualifier against Hong Kong - lamenting TWO disallowed goals, and their barren run in finding the net, that has now seen the Lions' draw 4 blanks in their last 5 games. So where to from here for Ogura and co.? We hear from captain Hariss Harun, Ilhan Fandi and Deepanraj Ganesan on Sports Minutes. READ MORE: https:...

A few days on since Singapore’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Nepal, and it seems like the rhetoric surrounding the National Team has changed for the worst - but is it really all doom and gloom? Perhaps not, with the news of a certain Perry Ng gaining his PR status, and a host of younger Lions making the step up. On today’s show we’ll hear from TWO players who could well and truly breat...

With the 2025 Formula 1 season up and running, Sports Minutes is in conversation with 17-year-old Singaporean racer Kabir Anurag, part of the Alpine Development Team. He shares his journey—from the Winter Series to life with an F1 team, the sacrifices of living abroad, and balancing academics with racing. We also dive into Singapore’s support for motorsport talent and his road ahead. B...

Forrest Li has officially thrown his hat into the ring in the contest for Singapore football’s top post - as the Football Association of Singapore confirmed that the election to decide the leaders of Singapore football will be held on 28 April 2025. So what next on the timeline to the extraordinary congress? And who could be in the running alongside Li? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in on this -...

Newcastle end their 70-year wait for silverware - clinching the English League Cup at the expense of Liverpool, beating them 2-1 at Wembley. And on Sports Minutes, we check in with two jubilant Geordies - Sazali Abdul Aziz & Terrence Ong - and lifelong Liverpool fan - Deborah Rowe - to find out what it means for both camps. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.c...

The Lion City Sailors' dream run in the ACL Two continues, as they defeated Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 on aggregate to book a spot in the last four. This is only the third time a team from Singapore have reached the semi-finals of a continental competition. So how did the Sailors, the only South-east Asian outfit left in Asia’s second-tier club competition, defy the odds to overcome their illus...

Did you know that amongst the NINE teams competing in the Singapore Women’s Premier League - there is ONLY ONE that does not have an active men’s team. And that team is Still Aerion Women’s Football Club. Dedicated to female footballers - the club have a roster that includes players who’ve featured in the Women’s World Cup, stars of the Singapore Lionesses past and pr...

The Lion City Sailors take centre stage on this episode of Sports Minutes - and for obvious reasons, after the furore surrounding their ACL Two Quarter-final. With the first leg declared a walkover after Sanfrecce Hiroshima's error of fielding an ineligible player, can the Sailors get the job done to secure a historic spot in the Semis? And, could the return of the legendary Kadir Yahya as Unleash...

This International Women’s Day on Sports Minutes, we talk to Nurhafizah Abu Sujad, Head Physiotherapist for the Singapore National Teams about her journey in a male-dominated field. Sticking true to the theme of IWD 2025 - Accelerating Action - the long-serving physio who is affectionately known as 'Kak Fizah' shares how motherhood has shaped her career, her work empowering athletes, and her...

History beckons for the Lion City Sailors this week, as the Singaporean outfit travel to Japan to take on Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the ACL Two Quarter finals. As the ONLY south-east asian team representative left in the competition, how will they fare? What are the key battles and can the Sailors keep themselves alive heading into the second leg? Deepanraj Ganesan dives in to this and the weekend's...

When you think of the Women’s Premier League in Singapore, the Lion City Sailors probably come to mind—and for good reason. As the 3-time reigning champions the Sailors often dominate the headlines, and their opposition. But in 2024, two standout individuals from Geylang International stole the spotlight at the WPL Awards. Ratna Suffian was named Coach of the Year, while Farah Nurzahir...

Manchester United legend and 13-time Premier League winner Ryan Giggs steps into the Sports Minutes hot seat - reflecting on his illustrious career, Sir Alex Ferguson’s enduring legacy, and the frustration of watching rivals Liverpool rise while his beloved Red Devils struggle to reclaim their former glory. But could Ruben Amorim be the man to turn things around at Old Trafford? Tune in to f...

On a SIX-match winning streak in the league, with a SIX-point advantage at the top and a game in hand - the Lion City Sailors are gaining momentum in their pursuit of being crowned champions of the 24/25 Singapore Premier League season. But could the upcoming midweek clash against second-placed BG Tampines Rovers throw a spanner in the works? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in, and reviews the rest of th...

What would you sacrifice for a dream? For Singaporean boxer Danisha, the answer was everything — breaking a scholarship bond, leaving a stable healthcare career, and stepping into the unknown, all for the love of boxing. And she’s not just chasing medals — she’s fighting for the flag, and fighting to make history. As Singapore’s first boxer in decades to qualify for t...

Singapore’s premier pro wrestling promotion, Grapplemax, is making history with Causeway Jam—a high-octane showdown featuring top talent from both sides of the border. In this episode, co-founder and CEO Greg Ho shares Grapplemax’s journey, its commitment to accessibility, and how it’s shaping the local wrestling scene. We dive into the inspiration behind Causeway Jam, the...

Another week, another VAR debacle. Why does this keep happening in Singapore football, and what can be done to ensure accountability? Plus, could Forrest Li truly be in the running to become FAS President? Deepanraj Ganesan and Zia-ul Raushan get stuck in on Sports Minutes. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/billionaire-forrest-li-seriously-considering-a-run-for-presidency-of-football-a...

Matt Silva has enjoyed a globetrotting football journey, playing in Canada, Sweden, Portugal, the Philippines, and now Singapore. The 32-year-old recently joined Tanjong Pagar United in the Singapore Premier League and was handed the captain’s armband on his debut. So how did this move came about, what it’s like working under legendary coach Noh Alam Shah, and what are the challenges o...

On Monday, 10 February 2025  - a video filmed by a member of the public emerged, showing an altercation in the aftermath a Singapore Premier League Under-21 game between Tanjong Pagar United and Albirex Niigata. A police statement has since confirmed that a 19-year-old man has been arrested for public nuisance and is being investigated for voluntarily causing hurt, while a 20-year-old man was...