To improve local football, send teens abroad: Fandi
By Sanjay Nair
Fandi Ahmad launching his book on football conditioning yesterday. The Singapore football icon is in talks with local schools to promote the conditioning programme through clinics and talks. -- ST PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN
THE way forward for Singapore football is not to import overseas talent but to send more local players abroad to gain exposure, said former international Fandi Ahmad yesterday.
'The Foreign Talent Scheme has been good over the years, but the time has come to invest fully in our youngsters and expose them to new cultures and playing styles out of their comfort zone to become stronger mentally and physically,' added the legendary striker, who starred for Dutch side FC Groningen in the mid-1980s.
'Reading about how the elite Asian or European countries run their academies is one thing. Experiencing their training first-hand and being surrounded by top-quality coaches and players not only motivates you, but also pushes you to perform beyond your limits, which can only be good for Singapore football in the long run.'
The sporting icon was speaking at the launch of his new book - Optimal Fitness for Junior Champions Ages 7-17 - at the Sky Fitness gym at HarbourFront Tower.
The 133-page book shares the specific football conditioning programme Fandi's eldest sons Irfan, 14, and Ikhsan, 12, have been going through as part of their training to break into the international scene.
It is co-authored by Fandi and former bodybuilder Rano Izhar, who was the first Singaporean to serve as an adviser to Malaysia's Ministry of Youth & Sports in 2007.
Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.
Where can I buy the book?
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