Community Dads' Stories Fandi Ahmad: Pumped Up to Play Football this Holidays and All Year Round
Singapore’s favourite football son, Fandi Ahmad, now 49, is married to Wendy Jacobs Sarah Abdullah, and they have five children, Irfan, 14, Ikhsan, 12, Iman, 11, Ilhan, 9, and Iryan, 5.
In an e-mail interview, Fandi shares with The Dads for Life Resource Team about…
... looking forward to the school holidays
This time last year, I was back in Singapore from Indonesia with my kids to start the Fandi Ahmad Academy. We spent a couple of weeks together in December shooting the promotional video for the Academy. I had an enjoyable time together with my kids during the filming process.
As I will be coaching at the Academy during the holidays this year, we plan to spend our time here in Singapore. Taking a trip down to Universal Studios Singapore will definitely be an exciting time for the kids!
There will be camps at the Academy. Kids can join us for three days of fun-filled outdoor football training and indoor team-building games. The camp will also include a tournament, which will feature teams from other academies. Kids can expect to get pumped for competition and fighting for trophies or medals.
Anyone interested can register using a form on our website.
... growing up, and how his dad nurtured his talent
My parents were very supportive of my interest in football. My dad used to make me shoot at targets made of slippers from 10 metres, 15 metres and 20 metres, just to train my accuracy. That gave me a good foundation as a striker.
Life was tough at times with the separation of my parents and I was staying with my grandmother. I had to deal with most of the things by myself, which taught me to be independent. But the determination to play football got me through the difficult times. I had always known that I wanted to be a professional footballer and I worked hard at it.
... being a dad and how fathers can help kids make the most out of training
The best form of help dads can offer to their kids is to encourage them, be supportive of their interests, and most importantly, never push them too hard. Parents should understand that every child is different and has different abilities. Leave the coaches to do their jobs and as parents, we should simply support and encourage our children.
... being a coach, and what is unique about the Academy
At the Academy, our principal focus will be about football, but there will be emphasis on nutrition and fitness as well.
In terms of the sport, the trainees learn about how to extract the maximum from their bodies, how to be in perfect control of the ball, how to read situations at a blink of an eye, how to work as a team to devise the best results.
There will be regular games, and with a good mix of locals and foreigners in the Academy, the trainees will be exposed to a wide variety of playing styles and learn how to deal with the physical aspects of the game in a controlled environment.
Through the Academy, we hope to find promising talent, and we will place them in Europe where they will get the best possible opportunities to develop their potential to the maximum, and possibly, an international career. My sons, Irfan and Ikhsan, are now part of this programme in Europe.
... his favorite quote on football
“Use your ability and talent to help your team as football is a team sport.”
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With the pressures of examinations out of the way, the year-end holidays make for a great opportunity to spend extended time with your children. Plan your schedule well, so that you make time to bond over activities and get to know them better. Share with your children the joy of giving by sharing your time or resources to loved ones and worthy causes.
Quick Reads
Dads for Life compiles a snapshot of fathers and their holiday plans, activities, and reflections.
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Unearths eight great gift projects that will get you bonding with your kids. In the process, store up a decent stash of presents for friends and family.
Taking your family to an exciting destination for a fun vacation stay is possible with less than SG$150/pax. Here is how we do it!
In an e-mail interview, Fandi Ahmad shares with Dads for Life about his roles as Singapore’s favourite football son, player, coach and now dad. He also talks about holiday activities with his children.
Mr Viswa Sadasivan, Vice-President of SINDA, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Moves and Former Nominated Member of Parliament, shares about how his family reinforces their bonds through holidays.
Hungry Monkey, a Food-loving Father’s Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater, makes eating fun. Author, Matthew Amster-Burton, a restaurant critic and food writer, did not put aside his self-identity as a bona-fide foodie once he became a dad. Rather, he embarked on an amazing adventure which he called a “second honeymoon with food.”
Whatever you think of the word “geek”, this book is for you. Packed with projects that will suit any timeframe and budget, Ken Denmead’s book will surely convert you into one -a Geekdad, at least. With your kids, find interesting solutions for problems that can be solved in a more mundane fashion. Play, build and learn together.
Have a thought or insight? Read more and talk on this Theme here! |
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
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