FAS launches Players’ Concierge to support Lions’ post-playing career needs
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FAS ambassador and lead of special projects Baihakki Khaizan (second from right) speaking to current and former internationals (from left) Zulfahmi Arifin, Fazrul Nawaz and Khairul Amri at the launch of the FAS Players’ Concierge.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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SINGAPORE – National footballers can look forward to more support during and after their playing careers, thanks to a new initiative called the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Players’ Concierge.
The support system is the brainchild of FAS ambassador and lead of special projects Baihakki Khaizan, who is a former Lion with 140 caps.
The 39-year-old launched the FAS Players’ Concierge at the sidelines of the three-day Uefa Career Assist Workshop at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel on Thursday.
Baihakki shared that the initiative took him six months to conceptualise as he gathered the views of various stakeholders before piecing the pillars together.
He hopes to encourage not just young players to aspire to become Lions but also convince parents that post-career needs are being taken care off.
He said: “During our playing careers, we do not have the time to look into other options, and once we decide to retire, we might find ourselves unsure of what to do next.
“Through the FAS Players’ Concierge, I hope this initiative can serve our national players, both current and former, by guiding and equipping them with the necessary tools to prepare for life after football.
“In the long run, I want to assure the public, especially parents of aspiring footballers of the next generation, that football can be a viable career which does not end once they hang up their boots.”
The programme comprises two existing pillars and four new areas that are meant to address the financial, educational and career developmental needs and concerns of professional footballers.
The four new pillars are:
Education Partnership: In a collaboration with Republic Polytechnic, ex-players may go on diploma programmes with the institution. The initiative seeks to equip players who wish to further their education prospects with academic qualifications that will enhance their career prospects and personal development.
Job Opportunities: The FAS Players’ Concierge aims to connect former footballers with various sectors, facilitating job opportunities and professional networking. This is to help support them in finding meaningful attachments and employment during and beyond their playing careers. The expertise of government agencies such as Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore will be tapped on to help facilitate workplace placements for footballers, leveraging on their unique skills, experiences and networks.
Coaching Pathways: Tailored programmes with a more efficient and supportive process will be introduced to help players pursue coaching careers.
Overseas Support: As the FAS encourages more players to ply their trade in stronger foreign leagues, the Players’ Concierge is on hand to provide aid to any overseas-based Singapore international should they need help in areas like settling down overseas, accommodation arrangements, contract negotiations or financial aid.
Raymond Cheong, Republic Polytechnic programme chair for the School of Sports, Health and Leisure, said this is a good initiative in supporting footballers’ welfare after their playing days are over.
He added: “We at RP are looking forward to work together with Baihakki and provide a platform for our national players to develop themselves holistically through a wide range of courses we offer which would be a natural progression.”
The two existing pillars of the Players’ Concierge have been in place as part of the national players’ welfare programme since 2007. They are:
International cap bonus: National players will receive cash incentives based on the number of senior caps they have earned. These range from $1,000 for players who have 25 to 49 caps to $3,000 (50 to 74 caps), to $7,000 (75 to 99 caps) to $20,000 for centurions.
Scholarship credits: Ex-players will be offered scholarships aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge through further education, enabling them to pursue personal and professional growth. These will similarly be pegged to the number of caps and range from $4,000 to $16,000.
Balestier Khalsa defender Madhu Mohana was among the 20 men’s and women’s national footballers who attended Baihakki’s briefing and the Uefa Career Assist Workshop.
The 32-year-old, who has 33 caps, was struck by some of the statistics presented, one of which estimated 40 per cent of professional footballers go bankrupt within five years of retirement, and many more struggle financially in later life.
Urging his fellow players to prepare early for life after football, he said: “Some of us may live in the moment and get caught up in the fame and decent contracts when things are going well. But when these are gone, there is a big question mark as to what to do next...
“The Uefa workshop gave us some insights and knowledge into the practical and emotional aspects of the transition to life after playing football, and the FAS Players’ Concierge is a good initiative to establish a support system for national footballers like us.”
