Calling the S.League Awards Night a night full of stars may
sound a tad cliché, but thats what it truly was, and theres no
real reason to describe it in any other way.
Not that you cant try; it was a night full of humour and
irreverence, a night chockfull of shocks and surprises, a night of
wine and dine, a night of merry-making and photo-taking.
But for the most part, it was a night full of stars. Some shy, some
straight-up, some suave, some surprised, and some substitutes
Sengkang Punggols Haris Im not Kim Grant Sumri comes to mind
but all stars.
And as the local football fraternity gathered on November 22 at
MediaCorp Studios Auditorium to celebrate an excellent 11th year of
S.League football, the biggest stars of the season shared their
thoughts with sleague.com as they received their trophies.
Balestier Khalsas Kengne Ludovick led the line of prize-winners,
pipping Young Lions hotshot Khairul Amri and three others to land
the Maxell Young Player of the Year award, the first trophy to be
presented on the evening.
The confidence and courage he usually shows on the field was
clearly missing when he collected the award. But who can blame him
when he has to give a thank-you speech in front of a whole
auditorium of fans, friends and members of the football
circle?
Im very happy to win the award this year, after missing out on it
in my first season, he told sleague.com in an off-stage interview
later, clearly more composed.
Its not easy to win it this year, especially with tough
challengers like Khairul Amri. Whatever the result, someones going
to be sad because he is going to miss out.
But at least the other challengers are still young. Im getting
older, and I cannot keep this award next season because Im already
23, so its important I grab this last chance.
At least I have done something this time for Balestier, and people
who may not have expected much of the club now see how far we have
progressed. The team has improved a lot, and I want to help it
improve even more.
SAFFC coach Richard Bok bagged the Mikasa Coach of the Year award,
fending off stiff challenges from four other contenders, including
previous incumbent Vorawan Chitavanich of Tampines Rovers.
As usual, the 37-year-old underplayed his role in bringing his team
to glory, but after nearly a decade of working his way up from the
bottom, he was finally able to enjoy some personal glory after an
excellent first season as the Warriors head coach.
He looked dapper in his suit too as he stood in the limelight,
although nothing could compare to the solid all-black outfit he was
wearing in the video introducing the Coach of the Year nominees,
cast as a mafia-like group of ball stealers.
Bok was certainly the most convincing actor in the video, so dont
be surprised if he switches jobs! But for now, hes totally happy
guiding SAFFC towards glitz and glory.
I really thank the club for giving me the opportunity to lead this
fantastic team, and I cant do it without them, he told
sleague.com.
All the hard work and perseverance Ive put in for the past ten
years since taking up coaching has paid off now. Winning the league
title was a team thing; this ones personal!
Back in 2003, I had a dream to lead the Warriors to the
championship, and Ive finally realized that dream. So to win this
award felt really good.
My playing career was cut short because of illness ten years ago,
but this is a worthy substitute for playing. Who knows? After
tonight, I might even have a shot at acting!
The big winner of the night, though, is undoubtedly Woodlands
Wellingtons Laakkad Abdelhadi, who walked away with the double
haul of being both RHB Top Scorer and NTUC Income Player of the
Year.
So animated and loud was the Moroccan in his delight and surprise,
he received a rousing ovation from not just his supporters, but
members of all the fan clubs!
Laakkad was at a loss for words as he went on stage twice, hardly
helped by the fact that he speaks very little English and therefore
found it hard to express his joy.
But there was of course, little doubt just how expressive and
confident his football was.
How do I feel? Very happy, of course! he told reporters
afterwards in French.
But it will not be easy for me to achieve something similar next
year. This was my first year here; next year, everybody will
already know who Laakkad Abdelhadi is.
I will try my best to maintain my performances, but Woodlands will
go through many changes in personnel next year. Of course, there
will also be pressure on me to improve.
I just hope that the team will click quickly next year and perform
even better. I look forward to playing for a team that will be able
to challenge for the championship.
Full List of Winners:
NTUC Income Player of the Year:
Laakkad Abdelhadi (Woodlands Wellington)
MAXELL Young Player of the Year:
Kengne Ludovick (Balestier Khalsa)
MIKASA Coach of the Year:
Richard Bok (SAFFC)
POLAR Fan Club of the Year:
Singapore Armed Forces FC
SMRT Referee of the Year:
Abdul Malik Bashir
SINGTEL Assistant Referee of the Year:
John Chia Eng Wah
LEVI'S Story of the Year:
"For Love of the Beautiful Game" by Samuel Zhang, Football
Weekly
Singapore POOLS Picture of the Year:
"Khairul" by Don Wong, TODAY
RHB Top Scorer Award:
Laakkad Abdelhadi (Woodlands Wellington)
Singapore POOLS Fair Play Award:
Young Lions
TIGER BEER Goal of the Year Award:
Kim Grant (Sengkang Punggol)
FAS People's Choice Awards:
Khairul Amri (Young Lions)
FAS Special Awards:
Mrs Angela Teh
Mr Lim Kia Tong
Mr Shamsul Maidin
100 International Caps:
Aide Iskandar
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