By Ernest LuisSasikumar: We need to start them young
GET them out as early as possible. Expose them to the rigours of European football and culture regularly.
That is what former Singapore international and now Fifa agent, R Sasikumar, is doing with Fandi Ahmad's sons, Irfan and Ikhsan.
Explained Sasi: 'The philosophy that Fandi and I are using for his sons' footballing education is simple.
'Unlike say, African boys, Singaporean boys have very little chance of clearing that mental hurdle of living and pursuing football overseas.
'Also, what chance do our boys have when players like Noh Alam Shah and Lionel Lewis go for trials once every few years in their 20s? The odds are stacked against them.
'From a very young age, we want Irfan and Ikhsan to get used to the idea of growing up in a culture where they take part in European academy camps every year.
'So they get used to that life, what's required of them, what to expect at trials, and how to impress the right people from an early age.
'This goes on every month overseas.
'Fandi's sons must be exposed to this process as young as possible, as much as possible every year, to even have a chance of beating others.'
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