SINGAPORE – He expressed his desire to help improve the standards of local football and to inspire Singapore youths through sports in a recent interview with TODAY.

Now, ex-Singapore international striker Aleksandar Duric has been given the perfect opportunity to do just that, after he was unveiled as as the head of a newly-formed Active SG Football Academy today (Jan 30).

The announcement was made by Sport SG chief executive officer Lim Teck Yin prior to Duric’s meet-the author session at Books Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City at 2pm today to promote his autobiography “Beyond Borders”.

To be launched in the coming months, the ActiveSG Academy aims to provide greater access and opportunities for Singaporean children to enrol in a programme that will help develop their football knowledge and skills.

After he retired from professional football in 2014, Duric was an assistant coach with S.League club Tampines Rovers. He parted ways with the club last November. In an interview with TODAY this past week, the 45-year-old told TODAY that he was especially keen to work with youths and inspire them to take up a career in sports.

“I especially want to be able to work with the younger generation,” said the father of three.

“There’s a possibility for Singapore youths to take my advice because I think they can see me as a role model, having done well in sports.

“Ultimately, I hope to get more youngsters to take a chance on becoming a professional athlete. To take up sports professionally is a risk, and not many are willing to take that risk. So I want to inspire them to grab that opportunity (when it arises) and help them go as far as they can.”

As Academy principal, Duric, who will officially start work on Monday (Feb 1), will assemble and manage a team of partners and coaches to deliver the academy’s programmes, as well as shape its culture and characteristics.

“I am truly honoured and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve Singapore through what I love most – football,” said Duric, who became a Singaporean in 2007, and went on to play 53 times for the national team.

“I am looking forward to working with the ActiveSG team to create an academy where every Singaporean child, regardless of ability or background, will be given the opportunity to learn how to play football and to develop and sustain their passion for football throughout their youth.

“Additionally, the academy aims to also contribute to increasing the local talent pool of footballers in the country and to give our local football scene the boost it needs.”

The football school is the first of many initiatives set to be unveiled this year as part of Sport Singapore’s Vision 2030 master plan to get Singaporeans to live better through sport.

Sport SG chief Lim believes the values and professionalism shown by Duric during his playing career makes him a good fit for the academy, and will go a long way to helping it achieve its goals.

“Duric epitomises the ethos of the ActiveSG Football Academy,” Lim said of the three-time S.League Footballer of the Year who banged in 376 goals in 520 matches during his 16-year stint in the domestic league.

“He is a living testament and role model for the values and belief in the purposefulness of sport for the development of our youth.

“His long-term involvement in elite sport testifies to the indomitable spirit that has enabled him to sustain himself and succeed, and he is the best person to share and pass down his experience and commitment to Singapore through the ‘beautiful game.”

Lim added that the new academy will enhance Singapore’s existing youth football development programmes.

“We have studied the national football landscape and through our discussions with stakeholders, we recognise that there is a large potential to increase the number of children and youth playing the sport,” he explained.

“We are basically ensuring that anyone who wants to learn, play and develop through football would have access and opportunity to do so through a well-designed and progressive programme.

“The introduction of the ActiveSG Football Academy will serve to bridge gaps in the market, expand the participation base and contribute to growing the ecosystem of players, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators and fans of the sport.”

The academy will also work with different stakeholders, including the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and schools to build an alignment across the entire youth development pathway for “recreational-competitive” and elite athletes.

It will adopt the FAS Grassroots Manual – conceived by FAS technical director Michel Sablon – as its core syllabus, and subscribe to FAS’ coach education system as part of its coach development pathway.

The academy will also place huge emphasis on developing life skills, such as discipline, leadership and teamwork, in their students through the medium of football.

“We intend to instill important values such as discipline, respect and teamwork in our trainees,” said Duric who is widely regarded as one of the fittest Singaporean footballers during his playing days.

“We also want to equip them with life skills such as communication and problem-solving skills. This philosophy will also come into play when we search for suitable coaches for the academy.”