FAS: We don't condone bad habits

Smoking and drinking are bad habits which will not be tolerated and offenders will be dealt with accordingly.

The Football Association of Singapore, in response to LionsXII assistant coach Kadir Yahaya's worries that hedonistic lifestyles could ruin local footballers' careers, said: "The FAS takes a serious view of our players' conduct and lifestyle.

"We do not condone bad habits that impact our players' performance and image as role models.

"As professionals, players should take good care of their well-being and also set good examples as ambassadors of the game.

"As professionals, they have to practise prudence and self-control."

LionsXII vice-captain Hariss Harun is a prime example that not all young footballers are keen on damaging their lungs and livers.

The 21-year-old said: "For me, football is my life, my passion.

"It is what I do to help contribute to my family.

"And it is a big privilege for me to be representing a team, a club, my country.

"I'm lucky football has made me what I am today, and I have to be in the right condition to give of my best on the pitch.

"I'm sure everyone loves a party and, once in a while, I do hang out late with my friends.

"But you've got to choose the day and time wisely, definitely not the night before a match.

"Sure, I get offered cigarettes and drinks when I go out, but I just have to be strong and not accept them."

Hariss, who had been under Kadir's tutelage as an age-group player, said his coach has always been an advocate against smoking and drinking.

He added: "I feel coaches have more control on younger players when they are still in age-group teams. But, once you get to senior level, it's tough.

"I mean, for a 21-year-old to tell his peers, or even players older than him, 'Eh, I don't think you should be smoking, or drinking', I think the likelihood of the person listening to the advice is low."

Social life

And there remains those who are ensnared by the artificial highs.

John (not his real name), a local professional footballer in his 20s, admits to leading a partying lifestyle, but is adamant that it doesn't stop him from giving his 100 per cent on the pitch.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he gave an insight into a footballer's social life, where temptations come all too easily.

John said: "I go out clubbing with former schoolmates, friends, teammates. Some smoke and drink, some don't.

"Of course there's peer pressure... add that with curiosity and that's how most of us got started.

"But I don't think they are addictions.

"I can go a few days without smoking and I don't feel any side effects, although I have not tried to stop drinking yet.

"It's not like I go to training drunk anyway."

Although John, whose late nights often end at 3am, admitted he has shown up for training with a hangover, he claimed he has never failed the Beep Test, a mandatory fitness test for the S-League.

He said: "On the pitch, I give of my best, whether it's training or matches.

"I'm motivated to perform just as well, if not better."

Veteran striker Aleksandar Duric warns footballers of the hazardous effects of leading a decadent lifestyle .

The 41-year-old Tampines captain, a teetotaller widely regarded as one of the S-League's fittest players, told TNP: "In Europe, footballers do smoke and drink, some more than others.

"But the climates are different.

"Here in Singapore, it is so hot and humid. If players smoke and drink, they will surely dehydrate, but they don't understand that.

"I think it is a problem not just in Singapore.

"But, if you don't take care of yourselves, you can't go to the next level.

"Ultimately, it is their personal life, so no-one can control them. But, if they want their careers to last, they should watch what they are eating or drinking.

"With Kadir speaking out against smoking and drinking, hopefully it creates awareness and players will realise how an unhealthy lifestyle can endanger their careers."

According to the FAS, it has programmes in place to educate errant players and assist them.

A spokesman said: "For example, in the area of smoking, we have anti-smoking seminars and we will also assist players who need to undergo cessation programmes.

"Like all areas of our work, we are constantly looking to improve and implement new measures to assist and educate the players."

This article was first published in The New Paper.