The Early Stages
I started playing football at 5 years old, when my parents dragged me onto the grass field near my house for my first ever football lesson.
As my older brother was already attending this football academy, my parents thought it'd be a good idea to get me into sports as well and join him.
I was initially kicking and screaming, crying out loud that I did not want to join as I was scared of the football and scared of getting dirty and muddy in the field
However, the minute I got a few touches of the ball and started running around, the rest was history as I then found my passion and love for the beautiful game, the sport that would change my life and shape my character in the future.
There was no football CCA and school team in my primary school, hence throughout those years, I played most of my football competitively with different academies, and recreationally with friends and family.
There is not a day that goes by that I don't reminisce about those moments where football was all I cared about and looked forward to throughout the weeks. It was all I knew back then.
I continued playing competitive football through Secondary School, this time managing to get selected to play for the Victoria School Football Team, even getting the honour to be their captain in Sec 2 and Sec 4
It was a pivotal 4 years of my life as I was given some opportunities to enrol into more elite training squads and academies, but the reality of the Singapore education system hit me. Along with the skeptical but realistic influence from my parents, I ultimately decided to work hard in my studies and leave elite football behind, focusing more on trying to contribute and bring glory to the school team.
This eventually led to one of my proud moments along with my team, where we claimed the 3rd Runner Up position in the 'C' Division East Zone National School Games Football Championship in Secondary 2.
The next level of football I could look forward to after graduating from Secondary School was entering Victoria Junior College, where I have heard many great things about the football team from my seniors who also enrolled in VJC.
As I once again had the honour of joining the team in J1 and even leading the team as captain in my senior year, disaster struck as if it was just not meant to be, and the COVID-19 pandemic hit, resulting in the competitions in both years being cancelled. Just like that, my dreams of claiming an 'A' Division championship can earn glory just like those that came before me, vanished in those 2 years right before my eyes.
After serving 2 years in National Service and being reduced to casual and semi-competitive football on the weekends, another chance for me to play the game I love came knocking as I was fortunate enough to be accepted into NTU and their football team as a freshie.
The team challenged me like no other, and pushed me to my physical and mental limits, granting me what I have been chasing for my whole life, glory that does not come easily, doing it with passion and all for the love of the game.
As I continue along this football journey side by side with the journey of life, I am proud and grateful for all this sport has taught me, and how it has guided me through the ups and downs in my life, allowing me to improve in physical shape, mental capability, attitude, and character. I urge all of you to give this sport a try, and if not, hope that you are able to find passion and love for a sport, even if just as a hobby, as it will definitely be life-changing.