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Fandi aims to have women’s team at 2015 SEA Games

SINGAPORE — The last time the Singapore women’s football team won a medal at the SEA Games was back in 1985, when they took silver in Bangkok. Few may recall that milestone moment these days. Former national captain Fandi Ahmad does, though.

SINGAPORE — The last time the Singapore women’s football team won a medal at the SEA Games was back in 1985, when they took silver in Bangkok. Few may recall that milestone moment these days. Former national captain Fandi Ahmad does, though.

“We used to have quite a good women’s team back in the 1970s and 1980s,” said Fandi, who is now the head coach of the LionsXII.

“But a lot of girls gave up playing halfway as there has been no continuity in terms of support for them.

“Women’s football in Singapore then faded into oblivion.”

However, Fandi and his team behind the footballing school F-17 Academy will be doing their part to ensure that a women’s team will be flying Singapore’s flag at next year’s SEA Games, which will be held here.

They have formed a team, the F-17 FC, to take part in the Football Association of Singapore’s Women’s Premier League (FAS WPL), which kicked off yesterday and will run till April. It is their hope that the bulk of the team can go on to represent the Republic at the SEA Games.

Fandi, 51, will play an advisory role in overseeing the F-17 FC, which will be coached by former Singapore international Steven Tan.

The FAS WPL started in 2004, but has never enjoyed the same kind of following as the S-League.

Said Fandi, who stressed that a strong local league is important to the development of women’s football in Singapore: “We want to build a team for the future, to develop a group of talented women footballers who can represent the country.

“Hopefully, the F-17 FC can spearhead that. It is also about building a supportive culture for women’s football first.”

It is understood that Fandi approached footballer Ernie Sulastri, previously from league side H-TWO-O Dream Team, early last month to captain the F-17 FC.

The team has also recruited 21 women comprising experienced players from other clubs in the league, and new players talent-scouted from schools and from within the F-17 Academy.

Said Ernie, 26, who will join Japanese Division Two side Bunnys Kyoto FC in May after successful trials in November last year: “F-17 has put together a good mix of players, and with Fandi’s advice, and Steven’s coaching, the SEA Games 2015 dream is possible. It will be great exposure for the girls, and will also hype up interest for women’s football in Singapore.”

According to F-17 Director Mizra Ismail, the side is wasting no time to build up for the SEA Games next year. “The team will try to do well in the local league first, then the SEA Games 2015 will be the ultimate aim, he said. “It is about getting girls excited about football in the first place, and giving them opportunities to play competitively in the league.”

And to encourage the development of women’s football, the F-17 crew, comprising some of its directors, players and Fandi’s daughter Iman Fandi Ahmad, will also be visiting girls’ schools to conduct talks and coaching clinics this year.

The aim is to get more girls to play football and to encourage talented players to join the academy.

Last Friday, the team held their first talk at CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Added Mizra: “Moving forward, after the FAS WPL season ends, we need to give the F-17 girls international exposure.

“We are in talks with women’s teams in the region such as Thailand and Vietnam to organise friendlies with them after our season is over.”

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