One recently retired footballer recalled his emotions when he called time. With a career spanning almost 19 years, former defender Baihakki Khaizan is one of the most recognisable names in the sport in Singapore.
He recalled how for the first month after he retired, he would still prepare his boots and gear as if to go for training.
“My wife would ask me: ‘Do you know that you don’t have any more training?’” said Baihakki, who retired at 36 in 2022.
“It kind of brings your self-confidence down. It plays in your mind – I’m not good anymore, I’m old, I’m not needed.”
What helped with moving forward was that Baihakki felt he had achieved all that he had set out to do.
When he retired, he was Singapore’s second-most capped player, with 140 appearances in the Lions jersey.
“The career that I had gave me the satisfaction to say: ‘Bai, I think you’ve checked all the boxes,’” he explained.
Today, Baihakki spearheads a Football Association of Singapore (FAS) initiative to better support footballers and prepare them for life after their careers.
Called the FAS Players’ Concierge, it is a support network for the careers of current players and provides retired players with the necessary tools.
For one, the initiative aims to connect ex-players with various sectors to open job opportunities and provide networking. The goal is to support them in finding meaningful employment beyond their playing careers.
To his knowledge, a large majority of players who retire go into football-related roles, said Baihakki, who is now FAS’ Head of Planning.
Given this interest in staying in the sport, the Concierge worked to set up the AFC C Diploma course for professional players earlier this year.
The coaching course, held in February, was open to current and former national team players, as well as Singapore Premier League and Deloitte Women’s Premier League players.
Baihakki speaks with players every two weeks to find out what their interests are and how to best help them.
Defender Emmeric Ong, 33, said: “It’s good that Bai started something. Now the courses or the jobs are still a bit limited, but it’s just a start.
“Hopefully it can be broader so people can at least have more options.”
