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.
