Fandi taking sons to Europe
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Fandi taking sons to Europe
Fandi (centre) and his sons Irfan (left) and Ikhsan want to seek greener pastures in Europe.
Fandi Ahmad, has made up his mind.
He will move his family to Europe next year to give his sons Irfan, 13 and Ikhsan, 11, a chance to play professional football.
Speaking exclusively to The New Paper, Fandi, 48, said: "I cannot think of myself anymore. My time has passed. I must now do everything in my power to help my sons realise their dreams.
"Whether my boys make it or not, I don't know. But I have to give them the best chance to become professional footballers.
And I can't do it in Singapore or Indonesia. I have to take them to Europe.
"I will leave at the end of the year, to get everything set up for them. The boys will join me in March, once they complete their studies."
The final European destination is still under discussion, although Fandi is now looking at Italy, where he could get a job as a sporting director.
He also has looked at opportunities in England and Holland, though Italy has emerged as the top choice.
Close friend and manager, R Sasikumar, is arranging for some Indonesian backers to buy a Serie B club.
The deal, according to Sasikumar, is 80 to 90 per cent done. Once completed, Fandi will be appointed as sporting director.
And he will bring his five children, and wife Wendy, to settle down in Rome.
Said Fandi, who is currently coaching in Jakarta: "Trust me, this is not an easy decision for me to make. I am going to a new place and things will be very tough, I'm sure.
"But I have to do this for my boys. I had my chance. This is theirs. I want to do everything in my power to help them succeed in life."
So when did Fandi realise that he needed to let his boys chase the dream?
"It was at the Arsenal Soccer Festival," said Fandi, speaking of the tournament held in June this year where both boys hit the headlines after being approached by scouts from Chelsea, Arsenal and Reading.
Said Fandi, who became the first Singapore footballer to play in Europe when he signed for FC Groningen in 1983: "I knew they could play but at the festival, they were up against bigger boys and they showed that they could handle it.
"Other coaches felt the same way too, and we were approached by quite a few clubs. I knew then that my boys had a chance. But it is up to me to make sure this is not wasted."
Fandi's younger son, Ikhsan, was granted a trial with Chelsea. Both boys were also given trials at Arsenal and Irfan also got a trial at Reading.
So what came of that?
Explained Sasikumar: "The English clubs are interested. And if the boys had European passports now, we won't even be talking. They would already be there attached to one of the English clubs.
"But it is not easy securing a work permit in England. That is why Italy may be our best bet. Fandi can get a job there and bring the family there.
"They will go into the school system there and then try out for Italian clubs."
Fandi knows that he is taking a gamble, and there is no sure thing in football.
"Yes, we might go there, spend a lot of money and then nothing happens.
But at least we would have given it a shot. I don't think I will be able to live with myself otherwise."
But how talented are his sons? Are they better than their father at that age?
"You can't say that yet lah," said Fandi with a laugh. "I was playing in the Under-18 team when I was 14. But I think they will improve as they grow bigger and stronger.
"And they are going to have opportunities to improve that I never had. Given the chance to train with top teams in Europe, with better nutrition etc, I am sure they will become even better than me. At least, that's the plan."
Of the two boys, the younger Ikhsan looked a standout, scoring seven goals in two matches at the Arsenal soccer festival.
Said Sasikumar: "He is really something special. I first took him to a Milan soccer camp in June 2008, after watching him in Indonesia. He played so well, they invited him back for an Under-10 tournament in September the same year.
"He scored eight goals in six matches in that tournament. Some of the scouts thought he was Brazilian.
Same problem
"But the problem was the same. He had no European passport. No team is going to invest in him at that age without it being easy for them."
Added Fandi: "Yes Ikhsan has it. That's clear. But Irfan works harder and can even play as goalkeeper like his grandfather (Ahmad Wartam) did for Singapore."
And what about Singapore, Fandi?
Are the boys going to play for Singapore? At this point in the interview, Fandi paused. It was clear that it was a difficult question that was eating into him.
"Let me put it this way. Of course I would love for them to play for Singapore. They were born in Singapore and they should play for the Lions, like I did.
"Unless I can't help it, they will play for Singapore. But I have to see how this European stint goes. I know that we will have to make a decision for the boys."
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if u read dragonballz b4.. u will know... the younger one are the more powerful one...the younger the better.....so this 2 are not the best to come from his family...
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in the end goku still the strongest leh
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Originally posted by ChoCoChips:
in the end goku still the strongest leh
where got... it's the story ended too early for the son to reach their full potential hor... he how old then reach level 2 leh??? his youngest son born already level 2 leh.... sure can reach level 3 fast fast one if given a chance -
At first look, i thought they took the photo with a group of football players.
On closer examination, i realised its just a wallpaper
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Originally posted by zocoss:
Fandi taking sons to Europe
Fandi (centre) and his sons Irfan (left) and Ikhsan want to seek greener pastures in Europe.
Fandi Ahmad, has made up his mind.
He will move his family to Europe next year to give his sons Irfan, 13 and Ikhsan, 11, a chance to play professional football.
Speaking exclusively to The New Paper, Fandi, 48, said: "I cannot think of myself anymore. My time has passed. I must now do everything in my power to help my sons realise their dreams.
"Whether my boys make it or not, I don't know. But I have to give them the best chance to become professional footballers.
And I can't do it in Singapore or Indonesia. I have to take them to Europe.
"I will leave at the end of the year, to get everything set up for them. The boys will join me in March, once they complete their studies."
The final European destination is still under discussion, although Fandi is now looking at Italy, where he could get a job as a sporting director.
He also has looked at opportunities in England and Holland, though Italy has emerged as the top choice.
Close friend and manager, R Sasikumar, is arranging for some Indonesian backers to buy a Serie B club.
The deal, according to Sasikumar, is 80 to 90 per cent done. Once completed, Fandi will be appointed as sporting director.
And he will bring his five children, and wife Wendy, to settle down in Rome.
Said Fandi, who is currently coaching in Jakarta: "Trust me, this is not an easy decision for me to make. I am going to a new place and things will be very tough, I'm sure.
"But I have to do this for my boys. I had my chance. This is theirs. I want to do everything in my power to help them succeed in life."
So when did Fandi realise that he needed to let his boys chase the dream?
"It was at the Arsenal Soccer Festival," said Fandi, speaking of the tournament held in June this year where both boys hit the headlines after being approached by scouts from Chelsea, Arsenal and Reading.
Said Fandi, who became the first Singapore footballer to play in Europe when he signed for FC Groningen in 1983: "I knew they could play but at the festival, they were up against bigger boys and they showed that they could handle it.
"Other coaches felt the same way too, and we were approached by quite a few clubs. I knew then that my boys had a chance. But it is up to me to make sure this is not wasted."
Fandi's younger son, Ikhsan, was granted a trial with Chelsea. Both boys were also given trials at Arsenal and Irfan also got a trial at Reading.
So what came of that?
Explained Sasikumar: "The English clubs are interested. And if the boys had European passports now, we won't even be talking. They would already be there attached to one of the English clubs.
"But it is not easy securing a work permit in England. That is why Italy may be our best bet. Fandi can get a job there and bring the family there.
"They will go into the school system there and then try out for Italian clubs."
Fandi knows that he is taking a gamble, and there is no sure thing in football.
"Yes, we might go there, spend a lot of money and then nothing happens.
But at least we would have given it a shot. I don't think I will be able to live with myself otherwise."
But how talented are his sons? Are they better than their father at that age?
"You can't say that yet lah," said Fandi with a laugh. "I was playing in the Under-18 team when I was 14. But I think they will improve as they grow bigger and stronger.
"And they are going to have opportunities to improve that I never had. Given the chance to train with top teams in Europe, with better nutrition etc, I am sure they will become even better than me. At least, that's the plan."
Of the two boys, the younger Ikhsan looked a standout, scoring seven goals in two matches at the Arsenal soccer festival.
Said Sasikumar: "He is really something special. I first took him to a Milan soccer camp in June 2008, after watching him in Indonesia. He played so well, they invited him back for an Under-10 tournament in September the same year.
"He scored eight goals in six matches in that tournament. Some of the scouts thought he was Brazilian.
Same problem
"But the problem was the same. He had no European passport. No team is going to invest in him at that age without it being easy for them."
Added Fandi: "Yes Ikhsan has it. That's clear. But Irfan works harder and can even play as goalkeeper like his grandfather (Ahmad Wartam) did for Singapore."
And what about Singapore, Fandi?
Are the boys going to play for Singapore? At this point in the interview, Fandi paused. It was clear that it was a difficult question that was eating into him.
"Let me put it this way. Of course I would love for them to play for Singapore. They were born in Singapore and they should play for the Lions, like I did.
"Unless I can't help it, they will play for Singapore. But I have to see how this European stint goes. I know that we will have to make a decision for the boys."
It's good to have a dream.But sometimes it is also good to realise limitations based on your own race.
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Go for it Fandi!
Help your son achieve their dreams.
Dont expect SFA help you this for sure.
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Originally posted by parn:
It's good to have a dream.But sometimes it is also good to realise limitations based on your own race.
trying to figure out if you're a racist or just plain stupid...
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Go ahead
make them a professional footballers
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Firstly, just to say, Fandi is a very nice person off the field and very humble and friendly... This alone, I hope he succeed in whatever he do. Secondly, he's a good soccer role model I think. Seems like a good father to me, who is willing to work hard to ensure his children gets to achive their goals. This is something not every parents will do for their kids. When I was young, I really wanted to stay at the Sentosa hotel but my parents wouldn't let me even if I begged. It would have meant something special to me, which I know it's silly but at less than $1k to achieve a simple goal, it's worth it. Now all grown up, even with $50k and staying in any hotel, it wouldn't beat how it feels if I get to stay there one time. Once something passed, it's hard or sometimes impossible to get it back.
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Originally posted by parn:
It's good to have a dream.But sometimes it is also good to realise limitations based on your own race.
You gotta be shitting me. Since when limitations is based on anybody's race. It has always been in the mind. An intelligent [insert race here] could outwit a dumbass [insert race here] anytime. This means me think that you are either racists or slightly retarded, neither of which reflects well on you. -
Obvious choice. I hope fandi doesnt screw up his sons future just like he did to his own by staying in singapore. Liverpool or saffc ? Man utd or home utd, the choice is obvious.
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Go for it Fandi, maybe dont come back, take up citizenship and let your son play there for good.
And I hope that FAS and govt should send more young kid over to study and play football, all being paid for. Can govt and FAs do that?
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I feel that Fandi made the right choice.
With proper training and fitness program, his sons could be the next asia pride if they take up Singapore citizenship of course, but i doubt they would since the plan is to play in Europe and 2 years of National Service at the critical period of time where player develops will no doubt severely disrupt the progress.
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Yes dont need to serve that damn 2 yrs of ns which I am sure 99% of parents are not happy with it.
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national service is definitely an obstacle in proffessional football for youngsters, imagine they missed 2 years of training and playing at highest level, any tom dick harry can surpassed them no matter how talented our local players are.
to me, fandhi is really a great father, letting his sons persue an alternate path, unlike most of our parents who chose what government wants us to be, in engineering , teaching, fiancial field etc. In my opinions, i felt that what fandhi did was already much more than FAS.i shall follow his footstep to send my boys overseas to play football.
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there'a nothing wrong with ns, given the talent if there is, the authorities could perhaps offer other forms for them to serve ns, just as the govt is so quick to pay total cost in academic scholarships and giving those chaps deferment and return to easy ns vocations, surely they could also provide similar routes. for a nation that whine the lack of talent, the sports bodies are quick to offer the sky to ft but not local talent?....
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change citizenship and play for italy in future. I dun think they want to fly back to sg and play with shitty service.
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Originally posted by Rock^Star:
change citizenship and play for italy in future. I dun think they want to fly back to sg and play with shitty service.
well said my friend.
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the 2 boys can be very very very good..............ball-boys....................
i'm willing to bet my life these 2 boys will never amount to anything in football....................
they can be European fodder..................LOL
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Originally posted by Asromanista2001:
the 2 boys can be very very very good..............ball-boys....................
i'm willing to bet my life these 2 boys will never amount to anything in football....................
they can be European fodder..................LOL
i sense some jealousy here? -
Originally posted by Asromanista2001:
the 2 boys can be very very very good..............ball-boys....................
i'm willing to bet my life these 2 boys will never amount to anything in football....................
they can be European fodder..................LOL
Fandi started off as a ball boy as well. -
Originally posted by DailyFreeGames.com:
i sense some jealousy here?of course i velly velly jealous lah..................i was able to beat Sundram and Fandi 1 on 1 eveytime leh.....but i no chance to go Europe mah................
anyway if Fandi thinks his sons are gonna play for foreign teams.................then i hope both sons break both their legs.................
or maybe they can play for Bangladesh...............
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fandi should stay.
now he still want ppl to fund his move
300k can take from his cpf?
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Once you make exception on ns, where do you draw the line?
Then there will be a growing list of parents who love their kids so much that they won't understand or accept the idea that why my son must serve and his no need? Afterall, it's only football to them and no big deal...
Then the gov will have a hot potato on their hands they can't win. Cos no matter how you want to put it, there will be half the population who won't agree on it... So better to "let sleeping dogs lie"... Like this, no one will be too upset with anyone... lol.