Sports Minutes: One family, two national athletes. But varying levels of support. Why so?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:01)
Sports Minutes with Zia-ul Raushan on Money FM 89.3.

**Zia-ul Raushan** (0:06)
Money FM 89.3, it's time for Sports Minutes with me, Zia-ul Raushan. The 2026 World Cup is in full flow, but the hunt to uncover sporting stories from Singapore continues on this show. And to that end, I'm joined today by two siblings who have had the privilege of representing the flag, one in the past and one in the present. At the age of 25, Sara Lightfoot received her maiden call-up with the Singapore Women's Senior National Team. While at the age of 15, Jeffrey Lightfoot not just wore the crest, but the captain's armband too in 2010, leading the Lions under 15 team to bronze at the Youth Olympic Games. That was 16 years ago and that remains our only medal at youth level since. Both of them support Liverpool, but thankfully they also support England. And that's the reason I agreed to this interview in the first place. Sara, Jeff, welcome to the show. We'll start with the England game. Did you guys catch the game?

**Sara Lightfoot** (0:59)
Yes, we did.

**Zia-ul Raushan** (1:00)
And how much are you enjoying Thomas Tuchel's England?

**Jeffrey Lightfoot** (1:03)
It's different from the past few editions.
The football they're playing is very good. Very nice to see, attacking football. And it was a good start to the tournament. Lots of games to go, but it was a nice positive start.

**Zia-ul Raushan** (1:18)
Jeff has a future in Punditry, I think. Since Jeff took on the easy question, Sara, coming to you, we've addressed that you're a Liverpool fan. This squad, for the first time in 40 years, does not have a Liverpool player. How are you feeling about that?

**Sara Lightfoot** (1:29)
Very bummed. I was looking forward to seeing my favourite men outside with my dad, of course.

**Zia-ul Raushan** (1:35)
And your brothers, hopefully.

**Sara Lightfoot** (1:36)
Oh, yes, of course.

**Zia-ul Raushan** (1:37)
And your boyfriend might be listening.

**Sara Lightfoot** (1:38)
Yeah, because the news goes on now. But yeah, it's a bit of a bummer, but still hoping that England do well. I think just seeing them play in the different style that they've been playing in and the different players who have come through, I think it's exciting. And with the game this morning, I think it was a good start, I think, with how they were playing, I wasn't expecting four goals. I think that was a good boost in morale and confidence, so hopefully it follows through.

**Zia-ul Raushan** (2:04)
Final question, Liverpool, England, right? Trent Alexander-Arnold, not part of the England team. Jeff, you're a coach, tell me how you're feeling about that.

**Jeffrey Lightfoot** (2:10)
My perspective, I feel that he should be in the squad because he has obvious quality going forward.
He's one of a few that can play that final pass very well. I mean, we have Reece James and a few others that play in that position, but I think from a personal view, I think he should have been in, especially with the injury to... Who is it then?

**Zia-ul Raushan** (2:30)
Livermento.

**Jeffrey Lightfoot** (2:31)
Livermento, yes. So I think he should have been called out, but we have a capable squad, and I'm happy Jonathan Henderson is in.

**Zia-ul Raushan** (2:39)
I like how you said, we have a capable squad. I love that, right? It's that time of the year. I'm singing, it's coming home as well. But enough with England, Liverpool and football for now, Sara, coming to you. 2026 has been quite a special year for you, receiving your median call-up to the Singapore Women's Senior Netball Team. How special has it been?

**Sara Lightfoot** (2:58)
It's been amazing. I think right off the back of NSL, I think my team had a good show out. We were very happy with how we played on court, what the values that we displayed. And I think getting that call-up was great.
I was actually speechless when I found out. Funnily enough, I was having lunch to kind of celebrate the end of NSL and all the good work that we put in. And then I got the email from a very familiar name. And I was like, oh, I haven't seen that in a while. So then I...

**Zia-ul Raushan** (3:27)
Who's the name?

**Sara Lightfoot** (3:28)
Can't disclose.

**Zia-ul Raushan** (3:29)
Okay.

**Sara Lightfoot** (3:30)
So, yeah, it was the management team. And it came through and I was like, oh, wow.
I was again speechless, but I was just very, very happy. I couldn't wait to share the news with my family. I think they've always been very instrumental in my journey. So yeah, feeling good, feeling happy, feeling very blessed.