Soh Rui Yong and U-22 football team reinstated for 2025 SEA Games after successful appeals

Singapore’s men’s under-22 football team and distance runner Soh Rui Yong will compete at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand after the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) accepted their appeals for reinstatement.

The SNOC confirmed on 28 August that its selection committee had convened to review additional nominations submitted by various national sports associations (NSAs) for the 33rd SEA Games, which will take place from 9 to 20 December.

Both Soh and the U-22 football squad were initially omitted from the provisional list of athletes. Their exclusion prompted public discussion about selection criteria and the importance of balancing athletic performance with representation standards.

In an earlier statement, SNOC explained that Soh’s nomination had not been supported by the selection committee due to “considerations beyond performance metrics”. The Council emphasised that athletes must uphold the values and behaviour expected of national representatives.

Soh subsequently appealed against the decision, and SNOC confirmed that the appeal was successful. The 33-year-old distance runner will now compete in the men’s 10,000m and 5,000m events. He is also among five athletes shortlisted for the men’s marathon, from which two will be selected by the Singapore Athletic Association for final entry.

The men’s under-22 football team was also reinstated in the updated athlete list, though details about their group fixtures, training schedule, and pre-Games preparation remain undisclosed. The team’s reinstatement follows discussions between the Football Association of Singapore and the SNOC regarding player eligibility and performance standards.

The inclusion offers the young squad an opportunity to compete regionally after a challenging qualification phase. The team is expected to begin final preparations once fixtures are announced by the Games’ organisers in Thailand.

According to SNOC, a total of 218 additional athletes from 29 sports have been approved in the latest review. These join the 762 athletes previously selected, bringing Singapore’s total contingent to 980 competitors across 48 sports — the largest ever for the nation at the SEA Games.

“The final contingent will be confirmed and announced closer to the Games, after the completion of the entry-by-name process set out by the SEA Games organisers,” the SNOC stated on Thursday evening.

The Council added that the expanded contingent reflects both Singapore’s growing sporting depth and the progress made by various national sports associations in preparing athletes for international competition.

Soh Rui Yong’s reinstatement marks a significant moment in his athletic career. A two-time SEA Games gold medallist in the marathon (2015 and 2017), Soh’s participation in recent editions was hindered by non-selection, despite achieving qualifying standards.

In previous cycles, the SNOC cited conduct-related concerns, noting that athletes must demonstrate professionalism and respect in representing the nation. Soh has since made public statements expressing regret for past incidents and emphasised his commitment to sportsmanship.

His return to the SEA Games stage has been welcomed by segments of the local sporting community, who view it as an opportunity to recognise athletic merit alongside national values.

The reinstatement of Soh and the U-22 football team follows weeks of discussion within Singapore’s sporting circles about transparency in athlete selection. Some sports officials and former athletes had urged for clearer communication regarding criteria and appeal processes.

While SNOC did not disclose specific details of the appeals or evaluation revisions, observers view the latest decisions as indicative of a more open and flexible approach to selection. Sports analysts have noted that such inclusiveness could strengthen athlete morale and encourage higher performance standards.

The SEA Games, a biennial multi-sport event involving 11 Southeast Asian nations, remains one of the most significant regional sporting platforms. The 33rd edition in 2025 will be hosted in Thailand, featuring hundreds of events spanning athletics, football, swimming, martial arts, and emerging sports.

Singapore has consistently ranked among the top-performing nations in the competition, with its athletes contributing across both individual and team events. The expanded 2025 contingent is expected to enhance Singapore’s competitiveness and provide valuable experience for younger athletes.

With final entries to be confirmed closer to the event, Singapore’s athletes and coaches are expected to intensify preparations in the coming months. The focus will likely include coordination among national associations to ensure readiness for a broad range of events.

SNOC’s latest decision underscores a balance between athletic excellence and personal conduct — a principle it has sought to maintain throughout past Games cycles. As the 2025 SEA Games approach, all eyes will be on how the reinstated athletes perform under renewed expectations.