Strong youth development system key to success of national football team
Having a strong and structured youth development system is crucial to the success of a national football team. This was exactly what Germany and Belgium — currently the second and third FIFA-ranked teams respectively — implemented after their poor performance at Euro 2000.
I was thus filled with excitement upon reading that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) had appointed Mr Michel Sablon as its technical director. His vision and experience in revamping the youth system in Belgium led to the rise of its national team, and ensured a steady pipeline of young talent and quality coaches every year. I am encouraged to learn that he is now devising a new strategy on the learning and playing styles for each of our national age-group teams.
But at the same time, every relevant party needs to move in the same direction and be instilled with the same purpose (“FAS’ remedy for what ails football: More of everything”; July 4).
Our schools and youth coaches must accept the long-term objectives and not sacrifice the potential of our young talents by adopting a win-at-all-costs mentality. As Mr Sablon rightly put it, the development — and not results — is the priority at the youth level.
If we want our young talents to develop to their full potential, they have to have adequate facilities allocated specifically for football-related usage. It was equally important to the success of Germany’s revamp of its youth system that facilities across the country were upgraded at the same time new philosophies were implemented.
If we genuinely believe in the impact of football beyond the pitch, more funding also needs to be given to the sport. While I applaud the vision and goals of the FAS Strategic Plan, funding is always one of the key ingredients for the successful implementation of its programmes.
Finally, as Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong earlier pointed out (“Football’s problem? Not enough kids playing it”; May 14), one of the key challenges is to strike a balance between football and academic commitments. This is especially important as football is a team sport, and it is not possible for a player to train individually at his own pace and free time.
Every party must move in the same direction. Without a change in mindset and the concerted efforts of all parties, let us be realistic and not expect football to deliver the undeliverable.
