On Saturday, 19th May 2007, Fico Sports Hub was the venue for SEMBCorp Utilities Sports and Recreation Club’s soccer carnival.
Ms Evelyn Kwok, SEMBCorp Utilities' organizer for the event, explained that the family day carnival incorporated a football theme as their recreation club members often played football as one of their activities. In order to bring out the competitive spirit in their employees, they were divided into 5 houses, and the teams would compete in the men and women's categories. There was no age limit for both categories, and a SEMBCorp Utilities' employee I spoke to gave this remark:
"As long as you can run, you can play."
In addition, players from Woodlands Wellington FC (WWFC) also turned up to lend their support to the event. SEMBCorp Power and Gas is the official corporate sponsor of the club.
The WWFC players conducted a football clinic session for the children, and Rams’ Romanian defender Lucian Dronca later commented that "it was fun" working with the kids.
I also got to meet former national midfielder and Rams skipper, Goh Tat Chuan. Currently working as an engineer at SEMBCorp Utilities, he has already been to Fico a number of times to play football with his SEMBCorp colleagues.
When asked what he thought about the place, he shared his excitement on the expansion plans (for beach volleyball facilities, etc) behind what he thought was "a great initiative" by Fico's management.
"Fico is a great facility and the pitch here is really of good quality.
"I think this is a good place for amateur footballers to hold their kick about sessions, especially with land being so scarce in Singapore."
Besides that, Goh also shared with us his thoughts on the FA Cup final that would be played later in the evening, and why he stopped supporting Manchester United. (Hint: It has nothing to do with him being a glory-hunter, as it was down to rather patriotic reasons.) During the brief conversation, Goh also mentioned the coincidence of him being from the same secondary school (St Joseph's Institution) as Fico's director Gary Lau.
In a thrilling semi-final game later, Goh scored 2 goals as his side chalked up a narrow 4-3 victory to progress to the finals. One of his two goals was in fact smashed in from the halfway line, right from the game's restart. Many of his former Woodlands Wellington teammates were also present to show him support, or give him stick jokingly whenever he slipped up.
Besides the performances of the professional (and one ex-professional) footballers, I have to also give special mention to the other players, especially those in the women’s category. Some of the female players displayed such raw skill and power even in executing the most difficult of volleying techniques, I'm sure they can give their male counterparts a run for their money any day.
And aside from the football, there were also games and snacks stalls (it was quite a sight to see some WWFC players chewing on pink cotton candy!), as well as stage games conducted. One football trivia game saw the kids answering some really challenging questions such as:
1) Which football legend is nicknamed the "Kaiser"?
2) Name the player who scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal?
3) Which player is also known as Gazza?
4) Which country will host the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
5) Which country will host the next FIFA Women’s World Cup?
The kids who went up to answer these questions obviously had to do so with some help from their parents (though many of them provided the wrong answer too).
(By the way, in case you want to know the answers to the above questions, I've included them at the bottom of this article.)
Finally, football competition aside, I'm certain the SEMBCorp Utilities employees, as well as their friends and family members thoroughly enjoyed themselves at this fun-filled carnival.
Answers to football trivia questions:
1) Franz Beckenbauer
2) Diego Maradona
3) Paul Gascoigne
4) South Africa
5) China
- by CHONG CHUN LIAN