S'pore football doomed if thinking doesn't change

I read with horror the dismissal of Mr Philippe Aw as head coach of Hougang United (Hougang United part ways with coach Aw; June 11).

Media reports in the past had praised Mr Aw for his team's attractive playing style when he was coach of Home United.

As head coach of Hougang United, he gave many young, aspiring footballers hope by daring to field them and giving them opportunities to play. It was something other coaches did not bother or dare to do.

Granted, the results could have been better but that is to be expected as these young players were still learning and developing.

While I can understand others being critical of his performance, Hougang United should have stuck by him, especially since Mr Aw was trying his best to promote and develop talent for the future of Singapore football. Now, instead of being feted, Mr Aw has been punished.

Hougang's actions is also in stark contrast to the Football Association of Singapore's goal of promoting young footballers as evidenced by its new rules for the Singapore Premier League this season.

It is because of myopic thinking like this that the ranking of the national team has been plummeting.

Our football teams from the national side in the various age groups are regularly being humiliated by minnows like Timor Leste and Mongolia.

I fear that if this mentality of our clubs' management does not change, Singapore will soon be the whipping boys of football.

Sebastian Tan Gee How

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