European training opportunity for young local footballers

SINGAPORE- Fledging footballers in Singapore will have a once in a life-time opportunity to train with a renowned professional football club in Europe, all thanks to a football camp supported by local telecommunications giant StarHub and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

Astro Kem Bola (“football camp” in Bahasa Melayu), which is organised by Astro Kasih, the corporate social responsibility arm of Malaysia-based integrated consumer media entertainment group Astro, is open to Singaporean boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 12 years old.

Now in its fifth edition, Astro Kem Bola will be held in Singapore for the first time, and aims to give student athletes the opportunity to experience professional football at the highest level. Close to 11,000 children have participated in to the programme since it was launched in 2012.

“The objective of Astro Kem Bola is in line with FAS and S. League’s objective in providing more opportunities for youths to play football,” said S.League CEO Lim Chin. “It will provide them with the platform to play and learn the game in a professional way and building a foundation towards unearthing future talents.”

The camp will be divided into three phrases: open trials in Singapore and Malaysia, an advanced training camp in Kuala Lumpur, and an overseas stint with a professional club in Europe.

Phase One will take place this weekend at the Jalan Besar Stadium where coaches will assess the participants' fundamental skills such as passing, dribbling, attacking, defending and shooting as well as small-sided matches.

The top 32 boys and 32 girls, will then progress to Phase Two for a five-day residential Advanced Training Camp in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There, they will undergo intensive football drills, focusing on teamwork, positioning and strategic play as well as various classroom activities on health and nutrition.

Phase Three will see the best 16 boys and 16 girls, sent for a 10-day overseas training programme in Europe. The participants will take part in an immersive exchange programme, which includes training under the local academy coaches, attending a live professional football match as well as participating a series of friendly matches against local youth sides.

Past overseas training programmes have been conducted with English-based clubs Cardiff City and West Ham United. This year’s European club will be announced at a later date.

“Astro Kasih has been doing a fantastic job of running Astro Kem Bola and we are proud to work with them and FAS to bring this meaningful programme to young Singaporean footballers for the first time ever,” said Lee Soo Hui, head of Starhub’s Media Business Unit. “Kem Bola is all about empowerment and we want to support our brightest footballing talents in following their passions.”

For more information and to register for the camp, visit www.astrokasih.org/kembola