Footballer Perry Ng looks forward to getting Singapore citizenship and giving back

Perry Ng interacting with Junior National Development Centre players at the Kallang Football Hub on March 23, 2025. He received his Singapore permanent residency on March 21, and is looking forward to getting his citizenship and play for the Lions. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

Cardiff City right-back Perry Ng (in white) helping to pack and distribute food while volunteering at the Thye Hua Kwan Active Ageing Centre at Bukit Merah View on March 20. PHOTO: FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE

Cardiff City footballer Perry Ng posing for a photo while having a game of Rummikub with some seniors at the Thye Hua Kwan Active Ageing Centre at Bukit Merah View on March 20. PHOTO: FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE – Unknown to many, Cardiff City right-back Perry Ng was volunteering at the Thye Hua Kwan Active Ageing Centre at Bukit Merah View on March 20.

The 28-year-old, who travelled from England to Singapore to train with the Lions during this international break, had also sought out an opportunity to engage in community work, something that he does in England as well.

Through Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary Chew Chun-Liang’s coordination, he put in a shift at the centre.

He participated in morning exercise, packed and distributed food to folks in the neighbourhood, and then played bowling on a video console and danced with the seniors – without any media fanfare.

Three days later, he was at the Kallang Football Hub to mingle with the Junior National Development Centre and Singapore Youth League players.

It is clear that community work is something dear to the 28-year-old, who collected his Singapore permanent residency blue identity card on March 21.

He told The Straits Times: “We have got community work in English football too; it’s optional but I always put myself forward.

“Some of the younger people and elderly are less fortunate, so it’s important for those who are able to give back to society, and it was nice to help out here in Singapore too.”

Such sensitivity is also what made him so determined to get Singapore citizenship to represent his paternal grandfather’s country of birth on the football pitch. Gaining PR status takes him one step closer to the dream.

On the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website, it states that citizenship “applications will be processed within 12 months, provided all the required documents are submitted and are in order”.

It is understood that the Japan-born Kyoga Nakamura took about five months to receive citizenship after getting PR status in 2024.

Ng, who visited a Taoist columbarium in Bedok to pay respects to his paternal grandfather James before returning to Cardiff on March 23, said: “Ever since he passed away, I’ve wanted to play for Singapore to honour him.

“I’m happy the first step towards that is complete. My family in Singapore are really excited, and hopefully they can finally get to see me play in person.”

His 49-year-old Liverpool-born father, also known as Perry, said: “We are all excited that Buster (his son’s nickname) has gotten his PR and is one step closer to his dream of becoming a Lion.

“He is a good lad who loves his family and his roots, and we all look forward to seeing him contribute not just on the pitch but also to Singapore society as well.”

They watched Singapore struggle in the 1-0 loss to Nepal at the National Stadium on March 21, but Ng felt there was potential with the team after following their 2024 Asean Championship semi-final run and training with them last September and over the past few days.

The 2023 and 2024 Cardiff Player of the Season said: “They showed good quality and intensity. It was difficult against Nepal after they scored and sat back really deep, and it was hard to open them up.

“I’m looking forward to playing with and for them soon. I believe I can fit in with my experience and physical attributes, and help the team be a bit calmer in possession and gain control when things get a bit frantic.”

World football governing body Fifa’s rules stipulate that individuals must have “a genuine link” with national teams they intend to play for. The basic criteria are: Place of birth, naturalisation by residence or place of one grandparent’s birth.

However, Singapore’s citizenship rules state that qualifying for a passport by descent is applicable only to individuals with at least one parent who is born in Singapore or is a citizen by registration.

In response to ST’s queries, a Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth spokesperson said: “Perry Ng has met the criteria for granting of PR under the Foreign Sports Talent (FST) scheme, taking into account both our sporting and naturalisation policies.

“This includes demonstrating exceptional sporting talent that would enhance and complement our existing local talent, ability to contribute to Team Singapore, ability to integrate into our society and long-term commitment to Singapore.

“While we tap on our FST scheme to support our sporting objectives, growing our pipeline of local talent remains our primary thrust in our high-performance sport strategy.”

David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis.

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