“It’s the explosion of emotions when you know you have just given someone a Panna—that move of tricking a defender to pass the ball deftly through them unguarded. That’s the beauty of the moment. When a celebratory crowd joins you on the court, loudly and passionately, it really is an extraordinary moment and the greatest feeling ever!”
“Many people also warned me there will not be many Forrest Lis. But if you don’t even start the concept somewhere and still continue in the way we’re running the league, the standard of Singapore football will remain the way it is – where each club is dependent on the subsidy given by the government. It’s usually a situation where you give me $800k and I try my best to get some money from either jackpot machines or a sponsor or I try to put in some money, if at all.”
“But of course the biggest factor is the parents’ mindset and that is indeed not easy to change. During my time, there was a lot of good Chinese players at school level but they never pursued a professional career because their parents don’t allow them to – I think this is an issue that still exists today.”
“However, underneath all those little achievements, I did have many challenges playing in different environment and adapting to different cultures. Over the years, I think I have come out stronger and more committed. I started to value and appreciate what I have worked hard for.”
“I have the priviledge to represent Yangon United as a professional footballer from 2009 to 2020. I am really very happy. Yangon United is not just a club, it is like a home to me. I really want to thank my team mates, the coaches, the officials, the president and owner of the club. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone, “ said Captain Ice on his social media.
It is a very natural thing now to see more Asian players playing in European leagues now. We have got the best from Japan (Takefusa Kubo) and South Korea (Lee Kang In) in La Liga now. But if you ask me, I think the best of Asian football is yet to come.
Honestly, I dare say Asian football is quite impressive after having played for Atletico Kolkata and Central Coast Mariners in India and Australia respectively. Even before that, I travelled to Asia a lot while playing for Barcelona as well. And of course now, with my current role as La Liga Ambassador, I continue to travel to Asia frequently too.
Junpiter Futbol (JPF) has the privilege to sit down and have a great chat with the former Head of Grassroots Football in All India Football Federation (AIFF). A lot has been touched on the grassroots football development in India, her involvement with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and not forgetting, the prestigious FIFA World U-17 Men’s Football Championship hosted by India in 2017.
I’m a guy who likes to speak my mind. It may cause a lot of controversy, but I don’t like to be involved in politics. I like to be honest. If you want to be professional, you have to be professional. Everyone has their own duties to perform. I am a coach and I don’t like an official who has never kicked a ball to tell me what to do.
