‘Words cannot describe’: Lions coach Gavin Lee after becoming a father
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Gavin Lee and his wife with their son Jude Kawin Lee, who was born on May 30.
PHOTO: GAVIN LEE/INSTAGRAM
- Singapore national football coach Gavin Lee became a father on May 30 when his wife gave birth to Jude Kawin Lee, a boy.
- Hours after that, Lee quickly returned to his coaching commitments with the national team, who host Mongolia the following day.
- Lee plans to seek fatherhood advice from experienced national team players such as Hariss Harun and Shawal Anuar.
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SINGAPORE – Singapore national football coach Gavin Lee became a father on May 30, when his wife gave birth to their baby son Jude Kawin Lee.
Lee, 35, and his wife, Wariya Cheersirikul, 37, were seen cradling their first-born in photos that he included in an Instagram post, which has drawn over 2,500 likes and hundreds more congratulatory messages.
Speaking to The Straits Times on May 30, Lee said that “words cannot describe” how he felt becoming a father for the first time and that unlike before crucial Singapore matches where he was totally calm, there were nerves ahead of the delivery.
Adding that he could not sleep last night, Lee said: “It’s strange because before (matches against) Hong Kong and India, I slept like a baby. When you see the boy for the first time, it was just emotions.
“It was an emotional moment for me and my wife, and I’m just very proud of her, because she did all the hard work, and for her to do what she did, I am just very appreciative.”
In a previous interview with ST in January, Lee, who guided the Lions to a historic qualification for the Asian Cup last November, had expressed excitement about the new addition to the family.
He said then: “I’m just thinking which position is he going to play? No, no, I’m kidding, but just excited to have a new addition to the family. We’ve been trying for a while, but we just haven’t been successful.
“Personally, it’s just good to let our child see the national team and that will be quite cool, but my wife will keep reminding me that it’s not all about football.”
Lee has been preparing the Lions for the current international window, which will see them host Mongolia (May 31) and China (June 5) in friendlies at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
After Jude was born just after 8.20am at Thomson Medical Centre, Lee was back with the national team by 3pm as they prepare for the Mongolia fixture.
Two hours later, he was at Jalan Besar Stadium to field questions from the media during a pre-match press conference.
Lee, who was appointed as permanent head coach of the Singapore men’s national football team last November, added: “My wife said, I’ve got a job to do...this position as head coach of the national team, we don’t take it for granted.
“It’s a privilege for us. We understand the responsibility. Now I’m here fully 100 per cent for the national team and try to find the best way to go and win tomorrow.”
He also quipped that he will be taking advice from some of his players who are fathers such as captain Hariss Harun and experienced forward Shawal Anuar.
He said: “We’ve got good role models like Hariss and Shawal, who promised to give me a presentation on the principles of fatherhood, so I’m looking forward to that. A lot of them have given me some tips, but I’ll just keep them to myself for now.”
