HUNDREDS of players and well-wishers thronged the SAFRA Tampines synthetic futsal courts at the launch of the Fandi Ahmad Academy yesterday.
But one figure stood out, if not for any other reason than she has not been in the public eye for quite some time now amid speculation about her health.
Yet there Wendy Jacobs was, coolly sitting on the grass, looking stylish with her designer shades and turquoise sleeveless top.
The 37-year-old was there to cheer her husband on, just like she did when Fandi played for Geylang United in the S-League.
This time though, the former national skipper was taking part in a celebrity football friendly with former internationals.
Just like the good old days, the wife was animated in her support.
A deft touch here and a skilful flick by the Singapore football legend was enough to roll back the years for the audience.
And when Fandi got on to the end of Malek Awab's cross to score, with his chest no less, Jacobs laughed out loud and pointed at her husband as if to say in jest: "What audacity!"
Proof
This very display of amusement, along with generous consent for any well-wisher requesting for a photograph, are proof that she is well ahead on the road to recovery from a fall in the couple's Jakarta home two years ago.
The incident, which happened when Fandi was working in Indonesia as Pelita Jaya coach, left Jacobs bedridden for almost a month.
She would politely decline to comment much, but her actions revealed much more of her physical well-being.
When The New Paper requested to take a photograph of the couple, their third son Ilhan, 9, came into the picture.
Sweetly, Jacobs asked: "Do you want me to get the other kids?"
Sure, and the picture published here, with the exception of 11-year-old daughter Iman, is the first Fandi Ahmad family portrait since their return to Singapore.
Fandi told TNP later that Jacobs had recovered well enough to be driving occasionally.
The 48-year-old said: "She is well, she is much better than before.
"She is still not 100 per cent, but she's OK now. She has started to drive, but I hope she can fully recover because I'm also worried.
"At the moment, she's fine."
Related stories:
This article was first published in The New Paper.
