Sports can help build future leaders — Lohman

JOHOR BAHRU: Sports plays a crucial part in shaping future leaders and helping to bring social changes to the community, says former US woman national footballer Joanna Lohman.

Lohman, who represented the US between 2001 and 2007, said it was crucial to involve youths in sports, as it would help them grow into mature adults.

“I don’t aspire to become a football coach. My aspiration is to use sports as a vehicle for social change. So, it is important to give equal access to every individual, even if they’re not the best players.

“It’s about building future leaders and empowering them. Sports brings valuable lessons... teaching these youths (the importance of) being part of a team,” Lohman told reporters yesterday during the ‘Kaki Bangku Soccer Clinic’ at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Perling 2, which is the home of local football academy Perling Soccer School (PSS).

The programme is a collaboration between the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) youth academy, PSS and the US Embassy.

Lohman, 36, said that the clinic was planned a year ago after she reconnected with an old friend, who works in the US Embassy in Malaysia.

Asked why Malaysia was picked as the first destination for the soccer clinic, Lohman said she had an affinity towards Southeast Asian countries.

“My aspiration is to go to as many countries as possible and try to influence the youths,” she said.

Lohman spent two hours coaching the school children today, teaching them dribbling techniques and playing against them with the other coaches. - Bernama