I was surprised to read the report, “S’pore to try Belgian football way to success” (April 3), about the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) appointing Mr Michel Sablon as its technical director. Many media organisations and reporters working on last year’s World Cup have credited him for the rise of Belgium’s national team.
Many fans would term Mr Sablon, who would not be lacking in suitors, a top signing by the FAS. How did this proven man choose Singapore?
The answer may lie in a quote of his highlighting the FAS’ openness in sharing with him the key challenges and constraints, as well as its passion and determination in enhancing the quality of Singapore football.
An article in The Guardian last June highlighted his role in revolutionising Belgian football and mentioned that he took on the challenge after the national team ended a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign. Belgian football was not at its peak, yet he confidently accepted the test, which he subsequently passed with flying colours.
Clearly, this is a man with a penchant for challenges, which could explain why issues such as the lack of training facilities and a small pool of players here did not deter him from taking on the top football job.
His spirit is in line with what FAS president Zainudin Nordin has been advocating: That the organisation must persevere and do its best despite the constraints. The FAS and Sablon seem to be a perfect match.
Like World Cup champions Germany, Mr Sablon’s Belgium introduced new initiatives at the youth level, and slightly after a decade, its national team is now ranked fourth in the world.
More importantly, Germany and Belgium have demonstrated that success depends not only on strategic directives, but also time.
Let us give Mr Sablon time to succeed with his programmes, even if immediate results may not be visible or what fans and the media expect.
I congratulate the FAS on securing his signature. If all of us support him throughout the next few years, he will make a difference to local football.
Many fans would term Mr Sablon, who would not be lacking in suitors, a top signing by the FAS. How did this proven man choose Singapore?
The answer may lie in a quote of his highlighting the FAS’ openness in sharing with him the key challenges and constraints, as well as its passion and determination in enhancing the quality of Singapore football.
An article in The Guardian last June highlighted his role in revolutionising Belgian football and mentioned that he took on the challenge after the national team ended a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign. Belgian football was not at its peak, yet he confidently accepted the test, which he subsequently passed with flying colours.
Clearly, this is a man with a penchant for challenges, which could explain why issues such as the lack of training facilities and a small pool of players here did not deter him from taking on the top football job.
His spirit is in line with what FAS president Zainudin Nordin has been advocating: That the organisation must persevere and do its best despite the constraints. The FAS and Sablon seem to be a perfect match.
Like World Cup champions Germany, Mr Sablon’s Belgium introduced new initiatives at the youth level, and slightly after a decade, its national team is now ranked fourth in the world.
More importantly, Germany and Belgium have demonstrated that success depends not only on strategic directives, but also time.
Let us give Mr Sablon time to succeed with his programmes, even if immediate results may not be visible or what fans and the media expect.
I congratulate the FAS on securing his signature. If all of us support him throughout the next few years, he will make a difference to local football.
