IN FOCUS: Life after football in Singapore – from running food stalls to planning weddings

SINGAPORE: About five years ago, Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny started thinking about life after football.

Then 36 and fresh from his second stint in Thailand with Army United, he had a dream of starting his own food stall, having grown up around his uncle and aunt’s nasi padang (rice and dishes) stall.

“I learnt a lot from them, how to run it, what to do and so if I were to have a mid-career change, it wouldn’t have been much of a difficulty to adapt,” he told CNA. “I enjoy cooking at home. So in a way, everything aligned and everything connected.”

He opened his first stall in 2020. Today, he owns Dapur Hassan in Tampines, which sells Malay dishes.

His stall hit the headlines recently when throngs of Chinese fans flocked there – Hassan’s heroics for Singapore in a World Cup qualifier helped keep alive China’s hopes in the competition.

The reports brought into focus the life of Singapore’s footballers after their time on the pitch. Many pivot to other jobs - property agents, car salesmen, food stall owners - while others stay in the game.

Footballers have relatively short careers. Most retire in their 30s if they steer clear of serious injuries. 

Unlike the top European leagues – where players are given huge paychecks – almost no Singapore footballer can leave the game and never need to work again. 

It is vital for footballers to start preparing for life after they hang up their boots, current and former players told CNA. 

While this sentiment might seem obvious now, this was not always the case.

Former Singapore international R Sasikumar said that back in his playing days, footballers did not always think about life after their careers. 

“Information wasn’t as free-flowing back then … It was tough for us to wrap our heads