Plan for English training stint for Youth Olympic heroes abandoned
by Shamir Osman
Apr 01, 2011
The Singapore under-16s could enjoy a training stint with Werder Bremen. TODAY FILE PHOTO
SINGAPORE - They roused the nation with their bronze-medal performance at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games last year, showing off an effervescence and a brand of football that attracted more and more fans.
The Singapore under-15 team lit up the football tournament at the Youth Olympics and drew praise from all quarters.
Including telco giants SingTel, who were so impressed they vowed to work with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and try to send the youngsters on a training stint to England.
That plan has now hit the skids.
Responding to queries from MediaCorp yesterday, SingTel said in a statement: "We had lengthy discussions with the FAS on this matter as we were very keen to get things moving.
"Unfortunately, we were not able to proceed with the plans as we were not able to find a good time for the Cubs to go due to school, exams and other commitments. The harsh winter that the United Kingdom experienced also slowed things down."
Not the best news for the players, who now form Singapore's under-16 side that will do battle in the Canon Lion City Cup, which will be held here from June 18 to 27.
The good news for the team is that they will know the identity of their new Japanese coach very soon, along with further developments over a proposed training stint with German Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen.
Kadir Yahaya led the side at the Youth Olympics, but the former Lion left the FAS to join the Singapore Sports School in January.
Replying to MediaCorp, the FAS said: "We will announce the details pertaining to the under-16 coach in April."
It is believed the coach will be named next week when the FAS unveil a partnership with the Japanese Football Association.
The likes of Jeffrey Lightfoot, Jonathan Tan, Dhukhilan Jeevamani and Syazwan Zin are already training daily with the National Football Academy (NFA) under-18 team ahead of the Lion City Cup.
The FAS say they are "in the midst of finalising details for a training stint for the Singapore under-16 squad", but MediaCorp understands that only a suitable date - possibly starting from May 28, the first day of mid-year school holidays - stands in the way of the team's training trip.
The under-16 and under-15 teams will represent Singapore in the Canon Lion City Cup, going up against junior sides from Everton, Benfica, Juventus and Flamengo. Plans to bring two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho here during the June tourney have been abandoned.
Tournament promoters The Red Card said the Brazilian cannot make the trip because the Flamengo skipper will lead his team out against Botafogo (June 20) and Atletico Mineiro (June 26).
Another star could make an appearance instead, according to Red Card managing director R Sasikumar.
"The senior side of one of the other teams in the Lion City Cup competition will be in this region for their pre-season tour and we are trying to bring one of their players here," he said.
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