DPMM FC star Hakeme Yazid Said was named in the AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) Team of the Year for the 2023 season during the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Awards night at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore recently.
The local forward enjoyed an excellent form despite his team enduring a difficult season having netted 12 times in 22 appearances as well as registering five assists.
The 20-year-old also received a nomination for the AIA Young Player of the Year as part of a three-man shortlist alongside Lion City Sailors FC’s Abdul Rasaq Akeem and eventual winner Albirex Niigata FC (S) Seia Kunori.
He played an influential role partnering alongside Andrey Varankou in attack last season and rescued his side – which finally returned to the Singapore top flight- with crucial goals on numerous occasions.
Hakeme was voted as the SPL Young Player of the Month for consecutive months in June and July in recognition of his stellar performances which saw him reach double digits in goals.
One of his major highlights of the season included a brilliant solo strike during the 3-1 victory against the newly-crowned Singapore Cup champions Lion City Sailors.
The young talent was also the first DPMM FC representative to be honoured with a monthly award since former player Blake Ricciuto won the Player of the Month in April 2019.
After returning to Singapore football competitions last season, DPMM FC finished seventh in the league and reached the knock-out phase of the Singapore Cup, finishing top of their group stage. – Fadhil Yunus
