Written by: Khalis Rifhan

It is still early days before the national U23 team coach Aide Iskandar decide on his final list of players for next year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

But for Courts Young Lions defender Delwinder Singh, he is looking to make the cut and bring glory to the Republic when the region’s top sporting event return to Singapore since it was last held here in 1993.

While Delwinder has been consistent in his performance for his former club Geylang International in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League, he missed out on a spot in last year’s SEA Games team as he suffered an injury late in the year and did not recover in time to make the flight to Myanmar.

“I have seen the stadium (Singapore Sports Hub), and it has fantastic facilities. It is well built for professional athletes and it gives us the extra boost and motivation going into a major tournament,” said Delwinder who was at Singapore Sports Hub’s Community Open House with his Young Lions teammates.

“I like the stadium and judging from the fans that we have and the design is that they are near to the pitch, it gives you the electrifying atmosphere.

For SEA Games, preparations have been going well and we will be going to Austria for a training stint. I definitely want us to do well in front of the home crowd,” added the ex-Tanjong Pagar United captain.

The 22-year-old was also grateful that the Sports Hub is finally ready for the athletes and called on his Team Singapore peers to do give their best in the upcoming SEA Games.

“You see how Singapore wants its athletes to do well and they gave us such wonderful state-of-the-art facilities. I am thankful of those that made it possible, especially the stakeholders and Sport Singapore.”

“Now we have to deliver by producing results especially playing in home ground.”

Delwinder’s performance this campaign have earned him a spot in Aide’s U23 squad for their  two-week training trip in Austria as part of next year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games preparations.

The U23 team will play three friendly games in Austria, the first against FC Pribram (Czech) on 11 July before taking on Germany’s Borussia Dortmund U23 four days later. Their last opponent on 20 July will be announced at a later date.