I THOUGHT that the Lions drawing 2-2 with Guam ("Lions left red-faced by Guam"; April 1) in a recent match would be a wake-up call for the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
Sadly, I hear the same excuses from our soccer experts.
We rely on past glory, like how we won the Suzuki Cup four times, but forget that we did it with foreigners in our team.
We gloat about winning a bronze in the 2010 Youth Olympics, but forget that we played mostly against non-footballing nations.
Indeed, we could not even beat Haiti, which had just two months to prepare for the tournament and was dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake during that time ("Unfancied Haiti crush cubs"; Aug 23, 2010).
Now, FAS has appointed a new national technical director in Michel Sablon ("FAS appoints Belgian as technical director"; last Friday). While I wonder if he will be able to do something great, I am glad that the FAS is trying to do something.
However, it can do more.
It should go back to electing its officials instead of appointing them. Now, there is a change only if someone leaves. A four-year term for officials will help keep everyone on their toes.
We should also bring back the government service and business house tournaments that we had in the 1970s. These not only enable non-club players to play the game, but also help in discovering new talent.
Let us not forget that the best coach is only as good as the players he has.
Louis Francis Albert
Sadly, I hear the same excuses from our soccer experts.
We rely on past glory, like how we won the Suzuki Cup four times, but forget that we did it with foreigners in our team.
We gloat about winning a bronze in the 2010 Youth Olympics, but forget that we played mostly against non-footballing nations.
Indeed, we could not even beat Haiti, which had just two months to prepare for the tournament and was dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake during that time ("Unfancied Haiti crush cubs"; Aug 23, 2010).
Now, FAS has appointed a new national technical director in Michel Sablon ("FAS appoints Belgian as technical director"; last Friday). While I wonder if he will be able to do something great, I am glad that the FAS is trying to do something.
However, it can do more.
It should go back to electing its officials instead of appointing them. Now, there is a change only if someone leaves. A four-year term for officials will help keep everyone on their toes.
We should also bring back the government service and business house tournaments that we had in the 1970s. These not only enable non-club players to play the game, but also help in discovering new talent.
Let us not forget that the best coach is only as good as the players he has.
Louis Francis Albert
