When you were a young footballer, all you needed was basically just playing time. To be precise, it’s an opportunity to show what you were capable of. Well, at least that was what I’m training for when I was just an aspiring young chap trying to fulfill a futbol dream. It definitely help if you had a coach who’s willing to give the younger players a run in the senior games.
I am considered one of the fortunate ones. My coach cum footbball mentor, PN Sivaji, also a former Singapore NT’s coach in the early nineties and former Technical Director of FAS (Football Association of Singapore), gave me what I would describe as the highest level of futbol experience in Singapore. This once in a lifetime experience was brief but sufficient to satisfy a small part of my dream – play among the bests at the highest level. Although I am longing for more for sure!
Recently, coach Sivaji was back in town after spending some times coaching oversea. We managed to catch up with each others and talked about futbol which obviously went back nearly 10yrs ago!
Other than the our coach-player relationship talk, we chatted about his time coaching overseas, his involvement in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) coaching stints as an AFC instructor, his time working with the youth and local players when he was still in Singapore, his favorite type of players and many other topics. Of course, this time round, I am not just a former coach’s player who was catching up with him, I am also taking this opportunity to interview him on behalf of all Junpiter Futbol’s JPF TALK followers! I would say, coach Sivaji did not hold back his thoughts and shared many unrevealed stories and exclusive experiences with Junpiter Futbol! All these happening right at our neighborhood’s Kopitiam (coffee shop)!
To be honest, I enjoyed the one and a half hour chit-chatting with him. With his reputation, he was easily recognized by many others at the “Kopitiam” but there was no arrogance from this famous father-like figure. Not only official work, we chatted about personal life too (which obviously I am not going to share here, ha!)
So what’s up with coach PN Sivaji these days and what are the type of player that will catch his attention? In another word, if you would like to know what are the attributes to be a professional futbol player? Stay tune to our Interview coming soon!
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