Every Saturday night, hundreds of youths come together across various stadiums, united by a common passion – football. The Saturday Night Lights (SNL) programme isn’t just another weekend event, it’s a movement designed to empower youths in Singapore and send them home with a warm meal, all on the house! Run by SportCares SG, the SNL programme gives every young person the opportunity to shine. It also serves as a safe space for vulnerable youths to chase their dreams.  

Meet Zalikha Haidah, 20, a dynamic student-athlete and captain of her football team, who led the District West Girls United team (DWG) all the way to the finals of the SportCares HEARTS Football League . Balancing the challenges of her studies with the demands of training, Zalikha brings an unwavering enthusiasm and skill to each game, inspiring her teammates and coaches with her dedication. As captain, her passion and leadership has driven her team to new heights in a sport that she loves. “There’s a reason why I’m the captain. I should lead the team. I shouldn’t be demoralised because if I am, the team looks up to me [and is] influenced by me,” says the DWG captain. 

18-year-old Nadir Umair is another notable player in the SNL programme. From the bench to the starting lineup, his success story is definitely one that will inspire you. Nadir shares the challenges of receiving criticism and recounts the journey he went on to overcome his loss of motivation. “In SportCares, I really grew a lot,” he says, “my teammates here who have helped me along this journey, [they are] my lifelong friends. And volunteering together really helped me to be more open-minded, to give back to the community, [and] to think more about others.”

Like Zalikha and Nadir, do you also have a dream? Because they have something to tell you: 

Believe in yourself, be bold and just go for it! Seek out people who can guide you and help you learn from your setbacks. Your passion and skills have value, and the work you put into reaching your goals will shape a future that aligns with your dream!

Watch our full video on YouTube below:

Credits:

Producer: Wilson, Raine

Videographer: Cherlisa

Video Editor: Cherlisa