festival of football.

A football fan's experience of the Festival of Football

As someone who is in love with football, getting to witness and experience Singapore’s biggest celebration of the beautiful game; the Festival of Football was a real treat. I arrived there as a journalist but experienced it as a fan and it’s safe to say that the whole event was a footballing Mecca.

I say that with complete conviction as the organisers had gone out of their way to create a collection of footballing activities that would even thrill non-football fans. Making my way around the place, I took time to take part in some of the activities as the football fan in me couldn’t resist just watching by the sidelines.

ACTIVITIES:

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Daily Football 4v4 Friendlies

Mini Football Pitch, OCBC Square

14 June to 13 July, 3:00PM to 5:00PM and/or 6:00PM to 8:00PM

First up was playing a game of football with other football enthusiasts at the mini football pitch at the OCBC Square. This activity saw me team up with three other football lovers as we competed in a team of four. It was a safe to say that my skills were rusty and although we eventually lost I felt I had gained more than lost. This was because I was afforded the chance to mingle with Singaporeans who share a deep passion for the game. I was truly humbled when chatting them, as they expressed their love for the national team and the local league proving that Singaporeans are mad about sport; especially football.

Additionally, for those of you who are keen to take part in this activity but are struggling to find a team, you can register online and Sports Hub will pair you up with other like-minded individuals and players. Or you can simply form a team of 4, register your team online, indicating your preferred timeslot, and get paired up with another team for a friendly 4v4 game.

• Registration Fee: $4/pax

• Age: 16 years old and above (as of 31 December 2018)

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Penalty Shoot-Out (Free!)

Mini Football Pitch, OCBC Square

14 June to 15 July

If you are in the mood to practice penalties then this is the right opportunity for you to do so. Penalties can be challenging (ask any Englishman) but the rewards are priceless. And here at the Festival of Football it is no different.  Participants can try to score a goal at the penalty shoot-out, and stand a chance to win attractive prizes. Just don’t be like me and sky the ball.

Registration: No registration required. Walk-ins only.

• Age: No age requirements

penalty shoot out.

Lunchtime Movie Screenings (Free!)

OCBC Square

23 & 30 June, 7 & 15 July, 12:00PM to 2:00PM

As lunchtime neared, I was informed by the staff there that there would be a lunchtime movie screening.  Here, it was the perfect opportunity for one to bring down the family for an urban picnic and enjoy watching different movies each week such as Kallang Roar, Goal, Bend it like Beckham and Kicking and Screaming! What’s more, each patron gets a bag of popcorn to munch on, while stocks last. It was truly a fantastic way to relax and bond with family and friends as I saw the crowd mingle amongst each other, smiles etched on their faces. Community bonding in its purest form.              

Pool Football

Kallang Wave Mall

18 June to 15 July

Sensing that I had enough gas in the tank for one last activity, I headed to Kallang Wave Mall to try my hand at pool football. Intrigued by what it was all about, I found out that pool football was a combination of pool and football. Here participants can use their legs to kick the footballs into the pockets of the life-sized pool table. It was actually harder than it look and requires a certain amount of skill to complete the task. All in all it was worth having a go.

pool football

West End Bar & Makan Hub

As the sun was about to set, I decided to spend my final moments at the West End Bar & Makan Hub. This food and beverage concept had a cosy setting where attendees can enjoy local food such as satay alongside an ice cold chilled beer. In fact that was the food and beverage I had as I sat there reflecting on an eventful day.

Before I left I decided to get the thoughts of an attendee about the Festival of Football. I wanted to know how they felt about such a spectacle especially with World Cup fever gripping the nation.

“I believe the whole event is a great bonding session. It unites people together. People can watch, learn and play soccer at the same time,” mentioned Nicholas, an attendee of the Festival of football.

“Additionally, watching the World Cup here is a different feeling as it’s much livelier given the crowd and amount of people.  I also hope Belgium win this year.”

WC screening

Although Nicholas hopes Belgium wins this year, in I for one believe that the true winners are the organisers of the Festival of Football. Their efforts in organising this footballing Mecca must be lauded. I commend them for allowing all football and non-football lovers to gather and revel in the camaraderie that the beautiful game emits. Let’s hope more people will show their support because just as in football the 12th man always counts.

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