From Chan Siang Ming -
TODAY
The report “‘Communication key’ in avoiding AWOL cases” (June 17) hit the nail on the head by emphasising the importance of communication.
Like former captain Nazri Nasir, I am baffled that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) merely relied on a player’s word that he had been released from National Service duties and had been allowed to travel overseas. Surely our football administrators are more efficient?
I was deeply disturbed after reading the report “FAS suspends LionsXII defender Shakir Hamzah from all footballing activities” (TODAYonline, June 16).
Not only did it appear that the FAS was quick and ready to pin the blame solely on the player, I am surprised to read that the association was “informed of Shakir Hamzah’s absence without leave from his NS duties on Thursday, 13 June 2013”. Why then did the FAS field the player in the friendly match against the Philippines a few hours later?
This is not the first time the FAS has made a blunder over National Service-related issues.
A few months ago, the S-League overturned Courts Young Lions’ 1-1 draw with Balestier Khalsa due to the fact that the former had fielded ineligible players in the match.
While the FAS had then apologised for its “administrative oversight”, its officials failed to realise that the “oversight” had affected the team’s confidence — especially since the point against Balestier would have been its first in four matches.
More importantly, did the FAS learn from that incident? A senior FAS official had claimed at the time that it had “taken immediate measures to rectify the problem” — why then did the Shakir incident happen?
Our Government has never shied away from prescribing bitter medicine whenever necessary. It is time to take tough action to improve football administration if we want our football scene to improve. If we cannot even establish the basics, how can we meet ambitious goals such as becoming a top-10 Asian team by 2015?
In the meantime, the FAS ought to raise its level of professionalism instead of conveniently pushing the blame to a 20-year old. At least, it should improve the channels and quality of communication between itself and other parties.
There is a reason why former captains Fandi Ahmad and Terry Pathmanathan have openly criticised the FAS and its officials. The question is whether the FAS is prepared to be humble and acknowledge its shortcomings.
TODAY
The report “‘Communication key’ in avoiding AWOL cases” (June 17) hit the nail on the head by emphasising the importance of communication.
Like former captain Nazri Nasir, I am baffled that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) merely relied on a player’s word that he had been released from National Service duties and had been allowed to travel overseas. Surely our football administrators are more efficient?
I was deeply disturbed after reading the report “FAS suspends LionsXII defender Shakir Hamzah from all footballing activities” (TODAYonline, June 16).
Not only did it appear that the FAS was quick and ready to pin the blame solely on the player, I am surprised to read that the association was “informed of Shakir Hamzah’s absence without leave from his NS duties on Thursday, 13 June 2013”. Why then did the FAS field the player in the friendly match against the Philippines a few hours later?
This is not the first time the FAS has made a blunder over National Service-related issues.
A few months ago, the S-League overturned Courts Young Lions’ 1-1 draw with Balestier Khalsa due to the fact that the former had fielded ineligible players in the match.
While the FAS had then apologised for its “administrative oversight”, its officials failed to realise that the “oversight” had affected the team’s confidence — especially since the point against Balestier would have been its first in four matches.
More importantly, did the FAS learn from that incident? A senior FAS official had claimed at the time that it had “taken immediate measures to rectify the problem” — why then did the Shakir incident happen?
Our Government has never shied away from prescribing bitter medicine whenever necessary. It is time to take tough action to improve football administration if we want our football scene to improve. If we cannot even establish the basics, how can we meet ambitious goals such as becoming a top-10 Asian team by 2015?
In the meantime, the FAS ought to raise its level of professionalism instead of conveniently pushing the blame to a 20-year old. At least, it should improve the channels and quality of communication between itself and other parties.
There is a reason why former captains Fandi Ahmad and Terry Pathmanathan have openly criticised the FAS and its officials. The question is whether the FAS is prepared to be humble and acknowledge its shortcomings.
