Nike – Jeffrey Lightfoot sponsorship
In line with much of the recent focus on youth development for football, Nike has just given promising young footballers in Singapore a timely boost.
Nike has just signed Cubs Jeffrey Lightfoot, Hanafi Akbar and Ammirul Emmran, as part of the brand’s commitment to supporting local young talent in football.
Q&A with Jeffrey Lightfoot
What have you been busy with since the YOG? How has your life changed?
Since the YOG I have gotten more attention both on the field and off it.
When I am playing other teams during the inter-school ‘B’ division, other players will tend to mark me more as they know my strengths from the news.
When I go out with the team, we tend to get recognized on the streets and people will come up to us.
In school, teachers will pay more attention to me as I missed a lot of lessons before and during the YOG. They offered to stay back after school for extra lessons to help me cope with my studies. My friends will also come to me for football advice.
What upcoming tournaments are you busy preparing for?
I have been representing my school in the inter-school ‘B” division football competition. However, the next big thing for the Cubs is the Lion City Cup in June.
How do you feel about the Lion City Cup?
I am very excited to be playing against the big teams, as it’s rare that you get to play against such strong opposition. I’ll definitely train very hard and look forward to spending more time with my YOG teammates, bringing back the fond memories we had during YOG.
How do you feel about FAS’s plan to groom young talent?
I feel very motivated, knowing that the government and FAS is supporting us and wanting to groom young players like myself. I will give my all knowing that they are behind us.
What are your personal football goals?
Like every young footballer, my dream is to represent Singapore and play for the national team one day, hopefully sooner rather than later. And hopefully, I can be a professional footballer in future.
Which players in the game inspire you?
Foreign Player : I like Daniel Agger as he is very smooth with the ball and with his feet.
Local Player : I like Daniel Bennett because he is a very consistent defender and because of his commitment to play for Singapore even though he wasn’t born here.
How do you feel about being signed and sponsored by Nike?
It is a great honour to be sponsored and affiliated with the world’s biggest sports company. They provide me with products from boots to shin guards, Nike Pro wear to bags. All my product needs are well taken care of.
Why did you select the CTR360 as your boot of choice?
The CTR360 is a boot that helps players to master control of their passes and to receive and distribute passes with ease. I feel very comfortable wearing the boots and it gives me greater confidence on the field.
How has the CTR360 improved your game play?
Since using the CTR360, my passing has been more accurate than before.
Do you think it is difficult for a young football player in Singapore to pursue football?
Generally, Singapore parents prefer their children to focus on their studies and not on sports. Fortunately, my parents are very understanding and they are very supportive of me pursuing my football dreams.
From young, it has always been my dream to play professional football. With the support of my family, friends, Nike and FAS, I am one step closer to achieving my goals.
However, in the meantime, I have to be very disciplined to do well in both my studies and football.
When did you first start playing football? What motivated you to start?
I started playing football as a toddler, just kicking the ball around at home with my brother and father.
When I was three years old, my dad brought me to watch my first football game at Anfield. My dad is a crazy football fan. He was the one who motivated me to play football. He even brought me to the park to kick the ball around. It started off as a fun way to spend time together, until I grew to like it more and more.
My family watches every EPL game together and supports Liverpool. Robbie Fowler even carried my brother when he was young.
What other types of support do you need to continue pursuing football in Singapore?
So far everyone around me has been very supportive. My principal even showed my YOG medal in front of the whole school during assembly. That really gave me the motivation to go all out to achieve my dreams.
However, I feel what we need more is the support from the public towards local football, similar to the support they showed us during YOG.
What do your friends and family think about your sponsorship by Nike?
They are very proud of me.
Q&A with Jeffrey Lightfoot with VOXSPORTS
Do you feel any pressure now that you’re wearing the boots of so many other footballing greats such as Fabregas and Iniesta?
No, not really, Instead, I feel honored to be be wearing the same equipment as them. Also, all of my hard work has definitely paid off and I am extremely happy to be part of this.
The VOXSPORTS take on this issue :
This initiative by Nike is a definite boost for the local soccer scene and for the athletes. Our experience with Jeffrey was that he is perfect to be a spokesperson for Nike and to relate the latest developments to our youth here in Singapore. Looks like Singapore is going places with all the support we’re getting so let’s give our athletes our support!
In line with much of the recent focus on youth development for football, Nike has just given promising young footballers in Singapore a timely boost.
Jeffrey Lightfoot gets sponsored by Nike. Photo courtesy of IMSG
- The signing means that Nike will be sponsoring personal training products for the players for the next two years at least.
- Nike has identified the specific product needs of the players based on their positions and playing styles, and will be providing them with the best products that we have to enhance their play on the field.
- The products that the players will get to wear are the same products won by the world’s best footballers such as Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta.
Q&A with Jeffrey Lightfoot
What have you been busy with since the YOG? How has your life changed?
Since the YOG I have gotten more attention both on the field and off it.
When I am playing other teams during the inter-school ‘B’ division, other players will tend to mark me more as they know my strengths from the news.
When I go out with the team, we tend to get recognized on the streets and people will come up to us.
In school, teachers will pay more attention to me as I missed a lot of lessons before and during the YOG. They offered to stay back after school for extra lessons to help me cope with my studies. My friends will also come to me for football advice.
What upcoming tournaments are you busy preparing for?
I have been representing my school in the inter-school ‘B” division football competition. However, the next big thing for the Cubs is the Lion City Cup in June.
How do you feel about the Lion City Cup?
I am very excited to be playing against the big teams, as it’s rare that you get to play against such strong opposition. I’ll definitely train very hard and look forward to spending more time with my YOG teammates, bringing back the fond memories we had during YOG.
Flying high for Singapore soccer. Photo courtesy of IMSG
How do you feel about FAS’s plan to groom young talent?
I feel very motivated, knowing that the government and FAS is supporting us and wanting to groom young players like myself. I will give my all knowing that they are behind us.
What are your personal football goals?
Like every young footballer, my dream is to represent Singapore and play for the national team one day, hopefully sooner rather than later. And hopefully, I can be a professional footballer in future.
Which players in the game inspire you?
Foreign Player : I like Daniel Agger as he is very smooth with the ball and with his feet.
Local Player : I like Daniel Bennett because he is a very consistent defender and because of his commitment to play for Singapore even though he wasn’t born here.
How do you feel about being signed and sponsored by Nike?
It is a great honour to be sponsored and affiliated with the world’s biggest sports company. They provide me with products from boots to shin guards, Nike Pro wear to bags. All my product needs are well taken care of.
Why did you select the CTR360 as your boot of choice?
The CTR360 is a boot that helps players to master control of their passes and to receive and distribute passes with ease. I feel very comfortable wearing the boots and it gives me greater confidence on the field.
How has the CTR360 improved your game play?
Since using the CTR360, my passing has been more accurate than before.
Lacing up in his new Nike CTR360. Photo courtesy of IMSG
Do you think it is difficult for a young football player in Singapore to pursue football?
Generally, Singapore parents prefer their children to focus on their studies and not on sports. Fortunately, my parents are very understanding and they are very supportive of me pursuing my football dreams.
From young, it has always been my dream to play professional football. With the support of my family, friends, Nike and FAS, I am one step closer to achieving my goals.
However, in the meantime, I have to be very disciplined to do well in both my studies and football.
When did you first start playing football? What motivated you to start?
I started playing football as a toddler, just kicking the ball around at home with my brother and father.
When I was three years old, my dad brought me to watch my first football game at Anfield. My dad is a crazy football fan. He was the one who motivated me to play football. He even brought me to the park to kick the ball around. It started off as a fun way to spend time together, until I grew to like it more and more.
My family watches every EPL game together and supports Liverpool. Robbie Fowler even carried my brother when he was young.
What other types of support do you need to continue pursuing football in Singapore?
So far everyone around me has been very supportive. My principal even showed my YOG medal in front of the whole school during assembly. That really gave me the motivation to go all out to achieve my dreams.
However, I feel what we need more is the support from the public towards local football, similar to the support they showed us during YOG.
What do your friends and family think about your sponsorship by Nike?
They are very proud of me.
Q&A with Jeffrey Lightfoot with VOXSPORTS
Do you feel any pressure now that you’re wearing the boots of so many other footballing greats such as Fabregas and Iniesta?
No, not really, Instead, I feel honored to be be wearing the same equipment as them. Also, all of my hard work has definitely paid off and I am extremely happy to be part of this.
The VOXSPORTS take on this issue :
This initiative by Nike is a definite boost for the local soccer scene and for the athletes. Our experience with Jeffrey was that he is perfect to be a spokesperson for Nike and to relate the latest developments to our youth here in Singapore. Looks like Singapore is going places with all the support we’re getting so let’s give our athletes our support!
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