by Tan Yo-Hinn
The name Delwinder Singh (picture) may not ring a bell for local football fans today but it could in years to come.
The Tanjong Pagar United defender was a surprise inclusion in national coach Radojko Avramovic's provisional 33-strong squad, as the Serb looks to assemble a team for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
The 18-year-old is one of 13 players selected for the first time. Of the group, six - Hamqaamal Shah (Gombak United), Muhd Ruzaini (SAFFC), Muhd Sufian (Home United), Andrew Tan (Balestier Khalsa), Shukor Zailan (Tampines Rovers) and Delwinder - will be in a 23-strong squad for a friendly against the Maldives on June 7.
The other seven will miss out due to National Service or because of their commitments with the Courts Young Lions, who will play two friendlies in Australia on June 12 and 15.
But they could feature in the three friendlies that have already been confirmed, and one possibly against Laos on July 18.
Avramovic believes the rookies could become mainstays of the Lions in the future.
"This group of players have a long future in the national team, and we must give them the opportunities to show their quality," he said yesterday at Jalan Besar Stadium.
" ... We sent them to the SEA Games to build them up to take over some positions in the national team ... in some ways, they've proven themselves. At the (last two) SEA Games, they twice won bronze as part of the youngest team in the competition, and they've been groomed to be in top form for this year's SEA Games in November."
Delwinder and the Courts Young Lions' Muhd Faris Ramli, all 18, are the youngest members in the 33-strong squad.
"I'm (still) totally shocked but excited! I didn't expect myself to feature in his (Avramovic) plans," said centre-back Delwinder, who got the news from Jaguars' coach Terry Pathmanathan.
He is looking to become the second Sikh to play for Singapore, after Jita Singh in the 1970s.
"Obviously I'm happy, to come from a minority race and now have the chance to play for the national team.
"It's a morale booster for me. My dream has been to play for the national team. Now that I've this opportunity, I've to work really hard." Tan Yo-Hinn
The Tanjong Pagar United defender was a surprise inclusion in national coach Radojko Avramovic's provisional 33-strong squad, as the Serb looks to assemble a team for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
The 18-year-old is one of 13 players selected for the first time. Of the group, six - Hamqaamal Shah (Gombak United), Muhd Ruzaini (SAFFC), Muhd Sufian (Home United), Andrew Tan (Balestier Khalsa), Shukor Zailan (Tampines Rovers) and Delwinder - will be in a 23-strong squad for a friendly against the Maldives on June 7.
The other seven will miss out due to National Service or because of their commitments with the Courts Young Lions, who will play two friendlies in Australia on June 12 and 15.
But they could feature in the three friendlies that have already been confirmed, and one possibly against Laos on July 18.
Avramovic believes the rookies could become mainstays of the Lions in the future.
"This group of players have a long future in the national team, and we must give them the opportunities to show their quality," he said yesterday at Jalan Besar Stadium.
" ... We sent them to the SEA Games to build them up to take over some positions in the national team ... in some ways, they've proven themselves. At the (last two) SEA Games, they twice won bronze as part of the youngest team in the competition, and they've been groomed to be in top form for this year's SEA Games in November."
Delwinder and the Courts Young Lions' Muhd Faris Ramli, all 18, are the youngest members in the 33-strong squad.
"I'm (still) totally shocked but excited! I didn't expect myself to feature in his (Avramovic) plans," said centre-back Delwinder, who got the news from Jaguars' coach Terry Pathmanathan.
He is looking to become the second Sikh to play for Singapore, after Jita Singh in the 1970s.
"Obviously I'm happy, to come from a minority race and now have the chance to play for the national team.
"It's a morale booster for me. My dream has been to play for the national team. Now that I've this opportunity, I've to work really hard." Tan Yo-Hinn
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