Aleksandar Duric on his remarkable sporting journey and giving back to Singapore

Former Singapore footballer Aleksandar Duric is preparing to lead Team Singapore at the 2026 Asian Games, drawing on his extensive sporting career and desire to give back to the country that provided him with so much. Now 56, Duric reflects on his remarkable journey which began in a small town in former Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 1970.

Growing up in Doboj, Duric faced hardships as a child, collecting recyclable materials to help his family. Despite these challenges, he found solace in sports, taking up kayaking at age 12 and later transitioning to football. His sporting career took him from Olympic competition in Barcelona (1992) to playing professional football in Europe, Australia, China and, finally, Singapore.

In Singapore, Duric found success as a striker, earning eight top-flight titles and three Singapore Cups during his 15-year career. He became the first foreign-born player to captain the national team, helping Singapore win the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2012. After retiring in 2014, Duric dedicated himself to giving back to the sport, spending a decade as the principal of the ActiveSG Football Academy, where he helps develop young football talent.

With more than 4,000 participants across 17 centers, Duric's work at the academy has become a significant part of his mission to inspire the next generation of Southeast Asian footballers. He acknowledges his progress in fulfilling his promise to help kids achieve their football dreams, but remains committed to continuing his efforts.