SINGAPORE: It has been over 13 years since Singaporeans caught sight of Manchester United legend Paul Scholes on a local football pitch.
But for 20 members of the Special Olympics team and 20 footballers from East View Secondary School, they got to play and learn from a player many regard as the best midfielder of his generation.
The former Red Devil on Friday helped S-League club side Courts Young Lions’ coach Aide Iskandar give a training session to the 40 budding footballers.
Scholes is in Singapore to help launch Courts’ 40th anniversary celebrations.
Ten Young Lions players were also brought in to assist in the training session.
For all of them, it was a priceless opportunity to witness a player who won the English Premier League (EPL) last season.
Scholes has won a total of 11 EPL titles, two Champions League trophies and three FA Cups, and he was also a key part of the historic treble-winning side of 1999.
For Scholes, it was an opportunity to witness the passion of local football players and fans, which he feels can only drive the sport to greater heights here.
He said: “I think football will become big over here. I know it’s big anyway, but even bigger. Hopefully, you can get the Singapore League a bit stronger with the crowds, and you can get it going again. Maybe get some big names over here to start playing games and the crowds will pick up.”
Courts Young Lions player, Shamil Sharif, said: “When you see top players like Scholes… on the same pitch as you, it gives you the motivation to actually be a better player. He’s played in World Cups, in Champions League, in EPL, and won many trophies with Manchester United, so I think as a footballer myself, it inspires me to do better in the future.”
Scholes will next take part in Courts’ 40th Anniversary Celebration Launch on Saturday morning at Courts Megastore in Tampines.
The player will also attend an autograph session with fans and Courts customers at the Tampines branch on Saturday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Football: Scholes helps train budding footballers in Singapore
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