Sports Minutes with Zia-ul Raushan

Ryhan Stewart rescued a point late on for 10-men Albirex Niigata in their match against Geylang International, but it wasn't the goal that has garnered the headlines - but instead it was his celebration and post-match 'antics'. Was Ryhan right to celebrate in the manner that he did? We discuss that and all the rest of the headlines from MD25 in the Singapore Premier League - in the company of Deep...

"Coldest move ever!" That’s how NBA Hall of Famer Chris Bosh described the blockbuster trade sending Luka Dončić to the LA Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. But which team got the better deal the deal? Speaking on the sidelines of the launch event of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational here in Singapore, the 2-time champion shares his thoughts on Sports Minutes. READ MORE:...

Everyone has opinions on how to revive Singapore football. But the power to make real change lies with a select few—one of them being the General Secretary of the Football Association of Singapore. After seven years in the role, Yazeen Buhari stepped down in November 2024, handing the reins to Chew Chun-Liang. But what does the job really involve? And how will Chun-Liang’s experiences...

We normally talk about the goals, the glory, and the game-changers on this show. But beyond the usual sporting headlines, there’s a different kind of story—one that’s transforming lives and redefining inclusivity. So how can lawnbowls - a relatively non-mainstream sport - be a catalyst for social good? Ganesh Ramanathan, President of Parabowls Singapore tells us more. Got a...

The Singapore Premier League took a backseat this past weekend, as the 25th edition of the Singapore Cup got underway - and got underway it did! 4 matches, 17 goals, 2 hat-tricks - and one HIGHLY contentious VAR decision. We discuss it all on Sports Minutes! READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/bg-tampines-rovers-concede-last-minute-equaliser-in-singapore-cup-opener Got a story t...

Travel with a twist! Weekend warrriors are turning their social games into pro-level adventures overseas. Complete with referees, live broadcast and the adreneline of high-level competition. Intrigued and interested? Sports minutes has the details! READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/want-to-feel-like-a-pro-footballer-weekend-warriors-travel-from-singapore-to-vietnam-for-the Got...

Ain’t no story like an underdog story, and that was the case in the Singapore Premier League this past weekend! A host of interim managers making instant impacts - with Hougang United, Tanjong Pagar United & the Young Lions also securing memorable wins. We discuss and dissect it all on Sports Minutes, in the company of Deepanraj Ganesan. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/foot...

A former English pro with a pedigree as polished as his Mancunian accent, Hasney Aljofree is now rewriting Singapore’s football story - in his role as Head of Coach Development & Education with the Football Association of Singapore. What’s his take on youth development, coaching philosophies, and his son’s potential ties to the Lion City? Tune in for a no-holds-barred chat on...

What happens when a tech guru follows his heart into the world of football? Tune in as we hear from Tariq Cassim, CEO & co-founder of Koach Hub, who’s blending his expertise in tech with his love for the game. Leveraging on technology and data, learn how Koach Hub is empowering players, coaches, and clubs with metrics-driven solutions—and why the future of sports is digital. Got a...

The Singapore Premier League is back! 4 matches,14 goals scored and talking points aplenty! With the league-leading Lion City Sailors securing a statement victory and the Eagles of Geylang International continuing to soar, who caught the eye? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in on Sports Minutes. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/veteran-pair-help-tanjong-pagar-united-end-six-match-lo...

The Singapore Premier League returns to action proper this weekend. And with a host of incomings and outgoings - both for playing personnel and managers - the second half of the campaign promises to be an exciting race to the finish line. So ahead of the BIG kick-off we check in with fans from all 9 SPL clubs to find out about their expectations, as well as hear from Deepanraj Ganesan on his exper...

With the Singapore Premier League returning after a 2-month hiatus, Geylang International's Mohd Noor Ali - the league's longest-serving head coach - is in the Sports Minutes hot seat. Tune is as he opens up about managing momentum during a long break, key transfers, and standout moments from the first half of the season. Find out what drives him, how he views his team’s prospects, and why h...

Hougang United’s season hangs in the balance, and newly-appointed interim head coach Robert Eziakor has 12 league games to turn things around. Bold moves, fresh tactics, and big decisions—will it be enough to reignite the Cheetahs? Tune in as he sits down to Sports Minutes to tell us more. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/robert-eziakor-steps-up-as-hougang-interim...

From Tokyo to Tanjong Pagar, Noh Alam Shah is back from his training stint in Japan - rejuvenated and ready to to reignite the Jaguars’ season. Tune in as we talk to the freshly minted interim head coach of Tanjong Pagar United about earning credibility as coach, navigating challenges and managing expectations ahead of the resumption of the Singapore Premier League. READ MORE: https://www.st...

Having spent close to 5-years with BG Tampines Rovers, scoring 110 goals in 138 appearances to become the club's ALL-TIME top scorer - Boris Kopitovic sent shockwaves through the fraternity when news broke of his departure to Bali United. So how and why did this mid-season move materialise, what are his ambitions in Indonesia, and how close was he to attaining PR status in Singapore? Boris himself...

"New Year, New Me!" - that's a mantra you'll hear plenty of this time of the year. But for Adam Swandi it means something entirely different - having recently been forced into retirement from football at just 28 years of age due to a life-threatening heart condition. So how is the former Sailor dealing with the setback, and what does the future hold? He sat down with Sports Minutes to tell us more...

And so the journey comes to an end. Despite the valiant effort of Singapore to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit, it’s Vietnam who booked their spot in the ASEAN Championship finals. As for our Lions, they will left licking their wounds, contemplating what could have been. Was the tournament a step in the right direction for Singapore? And could this be the end of the road for NT skipper Hari...

The Lions were left licking their wounds as two late goals proved to be the sucker punch to Singapore's AFF Championship title ambitions - with Vietnam seizing a crucial first-leg advantage in the semi-finals. Heading into the away tie on 29 December, can the Lions pick themselves up to achieve the most improbable of comebacks? Hassan Sunny, ex-Singapore international & Deepanraj Ganesan, spor...

And so, it’s Vietnam that await in the semi-finals of the ASEAN Championship - after Singapore secured their spot in the last four finishing runners up in Group A. Missing key players and struggling for form, many had written the Lions off before a ball was even kicked, but is it time we start 'trusting the process'? Gavin Lee, assistant head coach of the Singapore Men's national team, joins...

The Singapore Women's National team recently clinched third-place at the 2024 AFF Cup, which secured qualification for the 2025 ASEAN Women’s Championship. But despite the main objective being met, observers have questioned the performances. So what are the challenges that plague the women's game, and what are the efforts being taken to overcome them? Karim Bencherifa, head coach of the Wome...

It's all to play for heading into the final round of Group A fixtures in the ASEAN Championship after Singapore's 4-2 loss to Thailand. But does the endeavour shown in the opening half, coupled by a sizeable turnout of 22,611 fans give the Lions fresh optimism and impetus to secure a spot in the semi-finals? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in on Sports Minutes. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/spo...

Sports Minutes heads into the Lions Den for this episode, as we check in with Shahdan Sulaiman ahead of Singapore's match against Thailand on 17th December. Has 6 points from the opening 2 matches papered over the cracks, and could this be the 36-year old's final hurrah for the National Team? All that more on this episode! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudi...

A win is a win, but what did we learn from Singapore's AFF Championship 2-1 win over Cambodia on opening day? And will the Lions last the cause if they continue to remain toothless? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in on Sports Minutes! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if football was more than just a game? On Sports Minutes, 17-year-old Denilson - a footballer with Geylang International - shares how the beautiful game became his safe haven from life’s challenges. From growing up without his parents to training in Japan, he talks about resilience, grit, and chasing a dream against all odds. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-giv...

Ever heard of the saying “you only realise what you’ve lost when it’s gone”? Well that has certainly been the case for Tanjong Pagar United this season - with a host of high profile exits, both within their coaching team and playing personnel culminating in the team languishing at the bottom of the Singapore Premier League table. Why and how has it amounted to this? And was it a case of jumping sh...