Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Education and Second

National Archives of Singapore Library Release No.: 38/APR 06-l/97/04/19 97-TCH-10 SPEECH BY RADM (NS) TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE SPEX 2000 MILO SOCCER SCHOOL CHEQUE PRESENTATION CEREMONY BALLROOM LEVEL 3, AMARA HOTEL ON SATURDAY, 19 APRIL 1997 AT 11.00 AM I am pleased to be the Guest of Honour this morning, and to receive the cheque of $130,000 from Nestle Singapore on behalf of the Football Association of Singapore. Today’s Cheque Presentation Ceremony is significant as it is another great step forward for soccer in Singapore. It is indeed heartening to know that Nestle supports the development of soccer in our country through their generous contribution. The Milo Soccer School, which evolved from the Nestle Football Training Scheme, is one of the ways by which we can nurture young pupil:; and develop their talent in the sport. I have no doubt that many young Singaporeans possess the talent to excel in soccer. These youngsters are like raw diamonds. What they need is the correct guidance and training in order to turn them into polished gems. In this respect, the Milo Soccer School has done exceptionally well. The success of the Milo Soccer School is evident from the fact that it has churned out national stars like Fandi Ahmad, David Lee and Sundramoorthy - now common household names. More recent stars include players like Rafi Ali, 2 Nazri Nasir, Lee Man Hong and Rudy Khairon. The Milo Soccer School has produced 12 footballers who have been recruited into the national squad since 1993. This is indeed a commendable achievement. I hope that the MiIo Soccer School will continue its good work in developing footballers of high calibre to represent and bring glory to Singapore. One of the major hurdles faced by sports associations today, however, is the financial constraint of developing comprehensive training schemes to develop young talents. It will be a waste and pity if our young are not given the opportunity to develop themselves because of this lack of financial support. I am therefore glad that Nestle recognises this need and has been lending its support to the development of soccer in Singapore. Our pupils as well as parents and teachers place a high emphasis on academic achievement. This is good. But they should not lose sight of the ultimate goal - that of preparing themselves well for a future that will require a broad range of skills if they are to do well. Many of these broader skills - the ability to work in a team, to exercise leadership in difficult moments and to motivate those around you, can be developed through sports. Pupils who strive to do well in sports should also not neglect their studies. They need to strike a balance. They should have a well-planned schedule - one that includes time for study and time for training. If pupils can motivate themselves to persevere in competitive sports and to give of their best, they would have learnt good values in life. Often, pupils are tempted to give up a sport because they become discouraged when they lose a competition. Some are discouraged by the negative remarks made by their peers. Others quit because they find the 2 3 training too tough. To excel in sports you need determination, perseverance and fighting spirit. Success does not come overnight. You train to&y; and if success does not come tomorrow, you carry on, improve yourself and fight on till you achieve success. These are valuable lessons to learn, not just for success in sports, but for success in life. I believe that there is a dynamic future for soccer in Singapore. I would like to wish the Football Association of Singapore ‘every success in their effort to promote soccer in Singapore, to nurture young talents for the future and to raise the standard of soccer in the country. EDU(7)/Maprl9D. ‘97/Pgs. I-3 .

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