Sallehuddin Salleh may have had years of experience coaching teenaged footballers to prevent them from going wayward, but coaching underprivileged kids was still a first for him. The 56-year-old retiree conducted a two-hour football clinic on 22nd February for 24 kids aged between 13 to 16 years of age. These kids were from the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN).
Joining Mr Sallehuddin were Young Lions Raihan Rahman, Fazli Ayob, Luka Savic, and KhairulNizam, who took time off their hectic training schedules to help conduct the clinic.
And how the children were captivated by the stars who were on display.
One even directed a “how’s Barcelona?” question at former Barcelona Academy player Savic. Apparently these kids know their football.
The session started off with the Young Lions leading the warm-up drills. After that it was on to some simple passing and dribbling. What the kids were looking forward to most, though, was the last 30 minutes or so when they got to pit their skills against the Young Lions in a simple game of two sides. The session then wrapped up with refreshments for everyone.
The kids were all smiles. 16 year old Faizal even got some screen time with Savic on television. Asked which local club he supported most, Faizal cheekily said SAFFC. The avid Chelsea and Didier Drogba fan admitted that he had a great time and would love to participate in future clinics if he had the opportunity.
As for 2009 POSB Everyday Champions winner Mr Sallehuddin, he was just glad to give the kids this opportunity to play football. “Who knows? Sometimes we can even help them to discover their talent”, he said.