Singapore, April 19, 2022: The Football Association of Singapore has described the entry of the women’s national team in this year’s Asian Games as “historic news” for the Lionesses.
The Singapore National Olympic Committee (SNOC) confirmed on Monday, April 18 that the Singapore men’s under-23 and women’s national teams will both compete at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, this September.
“In particular, it is historic news for the Lionesses, who are set to make their Asian Games debut,” reports the FAS.
“Women’s football was included in the Asian Games for the first time in 1990 and the Lionesses have never been to any of the previous eight editions; 11 teams competed in each of the past two editions.
“For the men’s U23s, it will be their eighth involvement and first since 2014, where they were eliminated in the group stages. The team’s best finish was fourth in 1966. The men’s football tournament at the Asian Games has been a U23 one starting from 2002, with three over-aged players allowed.
“A maximum of 22 players will be allowed for each team’s roster at the Games, which is set to commence on 10 September and end on 25 September 2022.”
The two football teams are set to be part of Team Singapore’s largest-ever Asian Games contingent, which will feature 382 athletes in 29 sports.
There will be 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 482 events on the Asian Games programme in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China, and five co-host cities.