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Appointing Fandi a worthy but small step for youth football

I hope Fandi Ahmad’s appointment as head football coach of youth can give some impetus to Singapore’s youth development scene (“Fandi to lead FAS’ Olympics quest”; Oct 5).

Fandi Ahmad and Football Association of Singapore vice-president Edwin Tong after a press conference on Oct 4. The writer hopes Fandi’s appointment can give impetus to the youth development scene. TODAY file photo

Fandi Ahmad and Football Association of Singapore vice-president Edwin Tong after a press conference on Oct 4. The writer hopes Fandi’s appointment can give impetus to the youth development scene. TODAY file photo

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Edwin Goh Xian Jun

I hope Fandi Ahmad’s appointment as head football coach of youth can give some impetus to Singapore’s youth development scene (“Fandi to lead FAS’ Olympics quest”; Oct 5).

This year, our Under-19 team were eliminated at the group stage of their Asean Football Federation age-group competition. They have not progressed beyond the group stage of the past eight AFF U-19 competitions in which they have participated.

Our players lag behind our regional peers and are uncompetitive, even before entering National Service, which has often been a red herring.

This happens despite the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) committing a significant percentage of its budget to youth development.

Recently, players invited for trials with overseas clubs have been hailed as evidence that our youth development is improving. This is an optimistic viewpoint.

These clubs have nothing to lose and everything to gain when they conduct trials. Players who have done enough to impress would have been offered professional terms to stay.

Research in the book The Numbers Game, by Chris Anderson and David Sally, has shown that football is considered a “weak link” sport: Marquee players can win games, but a weak bench has a greater adverse effect on winning championships.

Having one or two outstanding players in football is insufficient, in contrast to basketball, where the best player would clearly increase the possibility of winning championships.

When the current stalwarts of the national team, including centurions Khairul Amri and Baihakki Khaizan, retire from international football, we will be looking at a team with few players having top-level experience and pedigree.

The decade we have lost will have long-term effects. An overhaul of the youth development system is overdue and necessary.

Having elite developmental squads is arguably too narrow in outlook and is suggestive of a fixed mindset, rather than a growth mindset. Late developers may find themselves excluded not because of their lack of ability but a lack of opportunities.

The crux of the matter is whether the current system has been able to improve the standard of the national youth teams.

From our performances in Asean youth competitions, the answer is no.

One possible suggestion is to link up each ActiveSG Football Academy with an S.League club in the same geographical location, to provide youngsters with a direct pathway to professional football, thereby expanding the current talent pool.

One swallow does not make a summer. Fandi’s appointment represents a significant, but otherwise small, step forward.

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