S'pore men's football team & runner Soh Rui Yong left off provisional 2025 SEA Games athletes list

With the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) slated for December 2025, the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) has released its first cut of Singapore athletes.

In SNOC's media release, 762 athletes across 42 sports have been provisionally selected to represent Singapore, making this the largest contingent for Singapore.

The 33rd SEA Games is scheduled from Dec. 9 to 20 in Thailand.

However, notable names were left off the list, including the national men's Under-22 football team and marathon runner Soh Rui Yong.

SNOC added that some athletes and teams remain under consideration as they work towards meeting the nomination criteria.

SNOC's selection criteria

SNOC sets the qualifying standards for all sports and is the governing body that selects the athletes for the SEA Games.

On top of the respective National Sport Association's criteria, there are other criteria to meet:

• Athletes who place at least third in the 2023 SEA Games
• Athletes who miss the qualifying standard marginally but show potential to equal or surpass during the Games.
• Achievements of the athletes at international competitions sanctioned by International and/or Regional controlling bodies, and achieved from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sep. 5, 2025
• Under the Olympic Charter, "Selection shall be based not only on the sports performance of an athlete, but also on his ability to serve as an example to the sporting youth of his country."

Beyond sporting achievements, certain "qualities" of the athletes will also be taken into consideration by SNOC:

• Attitude and behaviour towards coaches, teammates, fellow athletes, officials and sports administrators, whether in relation to sporting matters or otherwise.
• General conduct and character which may affect the reputation, image, values or best interests of the athlete or the sport
• Past disciplinary record
• Current skill level, fitness and character
• Level of commitment and attendance
• Potential for future development
• Ability to demonstrate team spirit and work well with teammates and officials
• Other non-performance related qualities that the selectors may consider to be relevant

Football in Singapore

According to the Straits Times (ST), the Young Lions seemed to have missed the initial cut as they have not produced any international results that meet SNOC's criteria of placing third in the 2023 SEA Games.

During the 2023 SEA Games, the Young Lions ended their 32nd SEA Games campaign with three losses and a draw.

In their last match against Malaysia, Singapore lost 7-0.

This would be the first time since 1969 that Singapore has not competed in football at the SEA Games.

ST reported that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) will challenge SNOC's decision.

Speaking to the media on Aug. 6, new FAS president Forrest Li stated that FAS will "try [their] best to meet the selection criteria, and [he] think we still have a very decent chance" of the team making it to the SEA Games.

"We are working very closely with all the stakeholders... (who) understand it is important for our fans to see football teams at the SEA Games," Li said.

Soh Rui Yong & SEA Games

Regarding Soh's nomination, SNOC stated that it has not supported the nomination at this stage.

SNOC added that it has been in dialogue with Singapore Athletics regarding Soh's nomination.

If Singapore Athletics chooses to resubmit Soh's nomination, the organisation will review the nomination through its appeal committee.

Soh has represented Singapore at the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games, but he was not selected in 2019 and 2021 due to his conduct not meeting the expectations of Team Singapore athletes by SNOC.

When it came to the 2023 SEA Games, Soh was able to successfully appeal for his inclusion after he apologised to SNOC for how he handled their previous disputes, as well as providing formal undertakings from Soh and Singapore Athletics.

Those included a commitment to maintain a respectful and positive public profile and conduct himself in a manner befitting a national athlete.

However, after the 2023 SEA Games, an SNOC representative said Soh had made "disparaging and derisive remarks" leading to his snub at the 2023 Asia Games as he did not uphold the commitments he made to SNOC.

"The SNOC reaffirms its commitment to sending athletes who not only meet the performance benchmarks but also uphold the values and behaviours expected of Singapore's national representatives.

Representing the nation is both a privilege and a responsibility that demands sporting excellence and exemplary character."

Top photos via FAS/Facebook and Young Lions/Facebook