Audi Putra and Jared Woong both dream of one day making it big as professional footballers.
But while the road to football stardom is still very much a work in progress, the 13 year olds had their first taste of life under the spotlight after their kind act on an MRT train made them mini internet sensations.
Audi and Jared are young footballers who are currently training at Kallang Football Hub as part of the Under-13 National Development Centre team. Photo by Unleash The Roar!, Ng Chrong Meng.
The National Development Centre (NDC) pair were on their way home after training on November 12 when they saw a passenger alight the train at Bedok North station without her iPad.
Realising that the woman had left her electronic device in the train, the pair, without skipping a beat, retrieved the iPad, rushed out of the train to return the tablet. They even managed to sprint back into the train before it left the platform.
Their good deed went viral after a fellow passenger posted about the incident in a Facebook post. The post also included a picture of the two young footballers, which drew quirky comments such as attributing the boys' ability to return the tablet and go back to the same train to the fact that they are footballers.
The incident was first published on Facebook and re-shared on several forums. Netizens praised the teens for their honesty and credited their parents for bringing up good children. Source from Facebook
The post, which has been shared on various Facebook groups, has garnered more than 3,000 likes on Facebook and over 600 comments and shares. The publicity of what they deemed as a "simple act" took both of them by surprise.
"I didn't expect such a reaction from people," said Jared, who is from Tanjong Katong Secondary School and plays as a winger. "I feel very proud of myself because I'm being recognised by the public for doing a good deed."
Added Montfort Secondary School student Audi, who plays as a goalkeeper: "I was surprised to be on social media. I would like to thank my parents and coaches for instilling in me good values."
Mr Zulfadli Othman, Audi's father, said he is thankful to his son's school teachers and football coaches for putting a strong emphasis on not just football but also in the teaching of good values.
Said the boy's NDC coach Afiq Yahya: "I'm proud that the boys showed that what they learn on the field, can also be applied to life off the field. Values like teamwork, looking out for one another are things these young footballers can apply to their daily life and in this case, they showed how they have benefitted from a holistic football education.
"While it is important for us to groom elite athletes, it is also important that they be equipped with the life skills to be the best versions of themselves in and out of football."
While it was a refreshing change to be in the limelight for a few days, both Jared and Audi will head into the end of year holidays fully focused on football.
They have just wrapped up the Singapore Youth League season, in which Jared played for Geylang International FC and Audi represented Albirex Niigata FC (S).
They are now setting their sights on performing well in the NDC U-13's Bangkok training camp from November 26 to December 7. They are scheduled to square up against top youth teams in Thailand.
Said Jared: "My goal is to one day be a professional footballer and I know I have to work hard at it."
Added Audi, who was part of the NDC U-13 team which toured Europe in June, taking on the likes of youth sides from Atletico Madrid: "I hope to one day play for the Lions."
Asked what they hope to achieve with their 15 minutes of fame, the pair said: "We hope our actions put Singapore football in a positive light and we truly hope more people will support Singapore football."
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