Being a football mum

 I watched my son's football team get trashed in a regional tournament last night. While he did not play, I continued watching to the end even though I'm not really interested in the game. The comments to the fb broadcast were interesting, some actually made me laugh. 

I understand why some people are upset, football has not performed for many years now, and the nature of social media is, anybody can comment. 

Skills and national standards are beyond me. People in the field know what is wrong and what can be done. What is left is for scientific improvement of training methods, professional management, funding, commitment and  execution. I heard they do wonders but do not happen here, not yet.

I can only speak as a mother.

Anyone who has worked towards a goal know there are sacrifices that have to be made. It is a challenge to just make it into an SPL club, or even the school team when football is the no.1 CCA. 

As a mother, I have seen my son trying to juggle school and football for the past 5 years. I am sure other young players are also doing the same, whether with school, NS or work. Technically, my son has been training since he was 5.

All of them have a dream to play for the country, and play well. Most who have gone through the football system here know there are chronic faults which are not being remedied. 

Yet, they still want to play. Footballers would say it is for the love of the game. Their love affair is very passionate. 

When my son got seriously injured a few years back, I would have happily supported him if he stopped playing. That didn't happen.

While some teenagers or young adults spend their free time on gaming, shopping or whatever it is they do these days, that footballer you picked on went for training. 

I realised then, that it is a good thing that my son is seriously interested in something positive like football. There are 1001 things out there that can distract a young adult, especially in Singapore. 

I learned that the best thing I can do for him is to support him. I have to remember that his games are not my trophies, being on the bench is not being sidelined and that it takes teamwork for a football team to do well, not individual stars (although they help). 

Take the latest AFF U23 event. People see disgrace in our boys losing, I see an opportunity for them to see they are not always going to be the best, to learn from others better than them, to hold their heads up when they're pushed to the ground and to experience the pressure of a regional game in our 3rd year of Covid.

Players can also experience stepping up their game when the usual people they depend on cannot play, as in the case last night with half a dozen down with Covid (& not able to return home till they're well) and a few injuries. 

I am also happy to read how many are interested in improving the local football scene. I look forward to their formal contributions.

As for me, I will continue to help my son fold his 101 jerseys, which is actually his chore, when he's not looking.