Fandi, a kid from the kampong who made good gives back

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With a name that speaks volumes throughout Southeast Asia, Fandi Ahmad could well choose to rest on his laurels in a comfortable retirement.

But the Singaporean, who retired from professional soccer after a remarkable career in 1997, gladly gave his time to play in the tsunami fundraising game here on Tuesday.

"I believe that Acehnese children deserve a better future. I'm glad to play in a charity match for them," said Fandi, 43, who played on the Indonesia All Stars team against Football Legends.

His national team jersey, number 17, was among the items auctioned at a gala dinner the night before the charity match. It fetched US$1,000.

It was part of the giving back by this self-described scrawny, scruffy kampong boy who made good to those less fortunate.

As well as working as an assistant coach for the Singapore national team, which triumphed in the Tiger Cup in January over Indonesia, he teaches his love of the game in the hope that youngsters will follow his lead.

"My activity in my spare time now is teaching children in school to play soccer."

Fandi credits his father -- Ahmad Wartam, Singapore's national goalkeeper in the 1960s -- with inspiring and motivating him.

He first made his mark as a 16-year-old prodigy who was capped for the national team. A mere two years later, he scored the winner for Singapore in the 1980 Malaysia Cup final against Selangor.

Close to home, he played for Surabaya-based Niac Mitra, scoring 14 goals in 28 matches as the team won the Galatama title in 1983.

It was a return to his roots in a way, for his great grandparents were Javanese, but it proved a difficult adjustment.

"Playing in Indonesia is different. The way they play is a bit harsh but the referee is too lenient, thus players easily get angry. In here, I learned to be more patient, otherwise I couldn't concentrate on my game."

He was not content to be a big fish in a small pond, setting his sights on the tougher terrain of Europe.

In 1982, after a tryout, he was offered a spot with Ajax Amsterdam. He turned it down, believing the distance from family and friends would be too difficult.

By September 1983, however, he was ready to make the move.

He played in the white and green of FC Groningen until August 1985, providing him with his fondest sporting memory.

"I always remember that playing in the UEFA Cup for Groningen and scoring a goal against Inter Milan in 1983 is my best soccer moment."

He later played in Malaysia, helping Pahang win the league and Malaysian Cup in 1991.

Today, he is focused on producing Fandis of the future in his homeland.

"We have to nurture young talent -- this is the only way to bring back the glory days."