Late developer Nadhra Aqilah hopes the quality of women's football in Singapore continues to progress, and shares how she overcame trying times on the sidelines to make an impactful return to the Women's Premier League at the end of 2023
Sport develops a foundation of discipline, grit and lifestyle. For Nadhra Aqilah, having this foundation to fall back on gave her room to make a big switch from being a competitive golfer for 8 years to taking up football at 24, and then even being selected for the national team.
Nadhra made the switch in search of a new challenge after graduating from University. She watched a lot of football growing up and had always wanted to play the game.
“After my golfing days were done, I started to coach football to young toddlers and kids. Somehow, I ended up going for a trial for a football club at the end of 2017 and the rest was just a beautiful beginning.”
Within a few months of playing for her first club, Tanjong Pagar United FC, Nadhra found herself being approached by the coach of the Women’s National Team after a pre-season friendly match.
“In the game, I had a moment when I managed to put the ball in the net. After the game, the coach approached me to come down for national training. I was shocked, having only played the game for a few months. I told the coach that I was very new at this, but he still gave me the chance to train with the team and to build up my skills and technique. I am still very grateful that he saw something in me,” she recalled.
Nadhra, together with her team went on to win the Women’s National League as well as the Challenge Cup in her first competitive year of football.
Taking up the sport at a later age at one of the highest competitive levels in Singapore was not without its challenges. While most girls already had the foundational skills of football from playing the sport since school, Nadhra often felt left behind.
“They got to experience competitions, growing their confidence, playing with friends and meeting coaches, so I lacked everything. I had to catch up on all the years in a short period of time, but that did not stop me from trying,” she said.
For any athlete, the greatest defeat and test comes with injury. Nadhra experienced two major injuries to her ACL and meniscus that would require two surgeries and see her out of action for an extended period of time.
During injury, athletes are forced to slow down, change routines, adjust goals, and sometimes hit the pause button on sporting dreams. This can be a lot to go through for anyone. For someone who has not been through something like this, it may be hard to fully comprehend. Nadhra opened up about what it was like for her during that difficult period.
“As a very active footballer playing for my club and country, the abrupt change of lifestyle and environment was something that was very difficult to accept. The first two weeks after my first surgery was torturous and looking at my teammates from afar, I did question myself on many things.”
“How did I cope?”
“I didn’t. I just had to force myself to accept that tough times were planned for me and I just lived with it.”
“There were many instances where I just wanted to live a different lifestyle, one without football. The feeling of giving up comes and goes, and it really depends on what challenges you face at that moment, because everyday it will be something new. I was undergoing rehabilitation for my injury at FAS with the best and most trusted physiotherapist I knew and she really took care of me.”
“There were a few other players who suffered the same injury and were also undergoing rehabilitation. Throughout the process and journey, it was tough not to compare progress, which I did, and that made me realise that there was something very wrong in my recovery.”
“Something that worked for me was staying in the moment and focusing on small wins no matter how small. A win is still a win. Surrounding yourself with positive people and an environment truly helps a lot.
Even though your path might be different from others, it doesn’t mean you won’t get there. Find something that works for you and only you.”
“Also, to always be grateful for what you already have. This is one of the biggest lessons I learned throughout this difficult and long journey of mine.”
After four months of rehabilitation, Nadhra was told that she had to go for a second surgery. This surgery helped the pain in her knee and after many tests, continuous rehabilitation and transitioning back to training, she regained her form.
Nadhra hopes that the standard and quality of women’s football in Singapore will continue to progress. She believes that with many young talents and experienced players in Singapore, that the future is bright for the sport.
Currently playing with her club Albirex Niigata FC (S), you can show Nadhra your support when the Deloitte Women’s Premier League kicks off for the 2024 season.