As captain of the Lions, national footballer Hariss Harun is used to rallying his teammates.
But the 33-year-old gave a different sort of pep talk on Wednesday night as he met the 2024 Unleash The Roar! Overseas Football Scholarship recipients and sprung a National Day surprise on them.
National captain Hariss Harun was at the Kallang Football Hub addressing the young footballers who were training as part of the National Development Centre programme. Photo by Unleash The Roar!, Ng Chrong Meng
Hariss, a brand ambassador for sportswear firm Adidas, presented each of the nine young footballers with a pair of Adidas Ultraboost 5 running shoes ahead of their move to the United States and Spain. The nine are among Singapore’s brightest football prospects and were awarded with multi-year scholarships to study and train in either America or Spain.
Hariss also took the time to greet and appreciate the parents who spent countless hours supporting their children in the football journey. Photo by Unleash The Roar!, Ng Chrong Meng
The Singapore captain had been among the more than 150 guests at the scholarship award ceremony at the Kallang Football Hub on July 29 and was keen to do more for the young footballers.
He said: “Watching them, it brought me back to when I was a 16 year old just starting out. I recall the feelings of uncertainty I had going on my first overseas trip for football, playing in a foreign country, and having the pressure to perform even at a young age.
“Whatever they are feeling or going through, I too had the same emotions. So I thought it would be good for me to share with them what I went through and to also let them feel that they are not alone on this journey.”
At the home of the National Development Centre, Hariss also took the chance to catch up with the female youth footballers and his former national colleague Fazrul Nawaz (left) who is the current Head Coach of the National Women's Under-19 team. One fun fact: Fazrul and Hariss were often roommates when they were playing together for the Young Lions, Lions XII, and the National Team. Photo by Unleash The Roar!, Ng Chrong Meng
Hariss made his senior national team debut on June 24, 2007, when he was just 16 years and 217 days. He became the youngest player to put on a Lions jersey, breaking the previous record held by Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad at 17 years and 113 days.
So just over a week after first meeting the scholarship recipients - Charis Han En, Charlotte Chong, Nadila Nur Danisha, Miguel Garcia, Lukyan Tan, Putera Ismail, Gavriel Lai, Chia Wayne Hon and Aidan Irfan - Hariss was again back at the home of the National Development Centre.
Hariss chatting with our 2024 UTR! Overseas Scholarship recipients who asked him a range of questions from playing overseas to what his favourite position is. Photo by Unleash The Roar!, Ng Chrong Meng.
After watching the scholarship awardees train, Hariss spent about an hour chatting with them, as they asked him questions ranging from his life playing overseas as a professional footballer to his favourite position on the field.
Said Nadila: “Hariss was incredibly kind to gift us sport shoes and share his valuable advice. Getting to meet the captain of the national team, and listening to his well-wishes and support have made me feel more motivated, and I'm sure the rest feel the same way. It gives us motivation to one day also reach his level.”
Added Miguel: ”I was very excited to meet Hariss. He was nice to take questions from us even though some questions were tough, but he took it in his stride. One advice which will stick to me is for us to cherish this opportunity. He said we are living the dream and are fortunate enough to be in a position that many other footballers would love to be in. So we must not take this for granted. We have to give our best, whether it’s in training or matches. Leave nothing behind once we step on that pitch.”
All the 2024 UTR! overseas scholarship recipients were thankful for Hariss's surprise National Day gift. Photo by Unleash The Roar!, Ng Chrong Meng
The Singapore and Lion City Sailors captain hopes to play a more active role in nurturing the next generation of young players.
He said: “What Unleash The Roar! is doing for young players gives me a lot of excitement, with the scholarships and the opening of an elite centre like the Kallang Football Hub.
“I believe if everyone in the Singapore football community pulls in the same direction, we can improve our sport greatly.
“I am fortunate to be able to captain Singapore and while I am still with the national team, I am more than happy to help inspire the next generation of national players. I hope to one day see these kids out on the field wearing the national jersey.”
Published on 8 August 2024
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