Nee Soon kids could soon be coached by Fandi and other local football legends
Singapore football legends such as Fandi Ahmad and Steven Tan could soon be coaching aspiring footballers in Nee Soon.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K Shanmugam launched the Nee Soon Football and Study Programme on Sunday (Jan 25) at Yishun Junior College, at the inaugural Nee Soon Cup 2015.
Designed to support and encourage youth development through sports, the programme combines professional football training and a study mentoring programme for students aged 7 to 16.
While the programme is open to all youths, up to 80 students who are under the Ministry of Education Financial Assistance Scheme that live in Nee Soon GRC will have their fees fully sponsored.
Once a week, either on a Saturday or a Sunday, the students will train at Yishun Junior College.
They would also attend a study programme run by volunteers every Saturday afternoon.
Helping youth
“I asked Fandi if we can work together to help children from less privileged backgrounds in Nee Soon. He agreed," said Mr Shanmugam in a statement to the press.
In a YouTube video, Mr Shanmugam and Fandi discussed how they hope that the programme can bring students who do have the opportunity, to train on a regular basis at Fandi's F-17 football academy.
In the video Fandi recounted how promising young footballer, Sulaiman Hashim, was tragically killed in 2001 after getting stabbed in a vicious attack at Boat Quay.
"He was supposed to be the next big thing," said Fandi in the video,
"Sometimes when we think of these youngsters we worry for them."
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