Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Missed opportunities
I met up with the Singapore team last night (pictures to be added later) as they had their second training session since arriving in Jakarta and was struck by a few things.
There were some local kids there who took the opportunity to have their pictures taken with some of the players, Casmir, Wilkinson etc. As they mobbed Casmir one voice piped up 'Adebayor' which must have had Raddy, the coach, cringing. As if he wants a striker with a poor first touch!
The whole Singaporean squad was unknown to all of the people, and media, watching. Players walked past and nobody had a scooby who they were.
It would be great if the AFF could work with the FA's and sponsors and produce some souvenirs. Things like postcards of individual players, posters, that sort of thing. The first time I was given something connected to footbal when I was about six years old I treasured it for decades.
These lads may never see Duric or Lewis again but by having something tangible from their visit at least builds an awareness and awareness breeds familiarity.
You might argue that the global brands involved in sponsoring this tournamnet don't see the fans yesterday as their target audience. Maybe. But what price can you put on awareness of local football? Generating an interest?
Another thing that the teams could be doing, once their training is done and dusted, is visiting a school and doing a clinic there. Just three or four players, get them out and about. Promoting south east Asian football.
Next Tuesday sees Myanmar playing Cambodia in Soreang and try guessing the crowd. It may run into dozens.
Bus in some school kids and let them watch it free. Fill the empty spaces and create an atmosphere. It's an easy and painless solution and it's win, win.
It seems there are plenty of little things the AFF could be doing on the sidelines to promote the game in the region. It just needs someone to make the first move I guess.
There were some local kids there who took the opportunity to have their pictures taken with some of the players, Casmir, Wilkinson etc. As they mobbed Casmir one voice piped up 'Adebayor' which must have had Raddy, the coach, cringing. As if he wants a striker with a poor first touch!
The whole Singaporean squad was unknown to all of the people, and media, watching. Players walked past and nobody had a scooby who they were.
It would be great if the AFF could work with the FA's and sponsors and produce some souvenirs. Things like postcards of individual players, posters, that sort of thing. The first time I was given something connected to footbal when I was about six years old I treasured it for decades.
These lads may never see Duric or Lewis again but by having something tangible from their visit at least builds an awareness and awareness breeds familiarity.
You might argue that the global brands involved in sponsoring this tournamnet don't see the fans yesterday as their target audience. Maybe. But what price can you put on awareness of local football? Generating an interest?
Another thing that the teams could be doing, once their training is done and dusted, is visiting a school and doing a clinic there. Just three or four players, get them out and about. Promoting south east Asian football.
Next Tuesday sees Myanmar playing Cambodia in Soreang and try guessing the crowd. It may run into dozens.
Bus in some school kids and let them watch it free. Fill the empty spaces and create an atmosphere. It's an easy and painless solution and it's win, win.
It seems there are plenty of little things the AFF could be doing on the sidelines to promote the game in the region. It just needs someone to make the first move I guess.
# posted by Me @ 9:37 AM 
