What about future Asian Games
At the
beginning, the Republic Under-23 football team were
not among those selected to go to the
So that
means the end of the issue then.
If one
is just thinking about the 2006 Asian Games then yes but to be honest it does
not take a genius to foretell that the same situation will pop out again for the
2010 Asian Games and beyond.
That is
where the problem lie for Singapore for while our Under-23 team is never assure
of the Asian Games, the Asian Games is part of Saudi Arabia, Japan and South
Korea development plan where the Asian powerhouse send their Under-21 team to
gain the needed exposure and experience to enhance their potential.
The
Asian powerhouse know by only sending their Under-21 team to the Asian Games,
they have given up their right to Asian Games crown but it matter not to them
for football development for their youngsters is the main point.
The
difference then is clear to note for SNOC does not concern itself with football
development and it is not wrong as that is not SNOC area of scope.
It is
FAS job and it is time FAS start to analyze whether it is possible to request
SNOC to exempt the sport from their decision making by agreeing not only to pay
the their own expenses but also restructuring the aim and buildup of the SEA
Games to prove football development is the main point at these Games.
By
that, the author means sending Under-21 teams to the biennial SEA Games for
football development thus preparing for the build-up to an Under-23 team for
the Asian Games.
The
Under-21 team will then also have an aim to progress unlike now for since it
formation it has been drifting aimlessly seems by it non-action.
However
in this way, the SEA Games crown is a goner but if football development is
indeed part of FAS aim in sending the
Future
Asian Games must no longer be held hostage to the relevant of results when the
aim should be like