Singapore law requires all male citizens in the age of 18 to serve in either the armed forces, the police or the civil defence force for two years as part of their National Service (NS) requirements.
The said law brought the disapproval of National Service deferment of Benjamin Davis, the first Singaporean Footballer to sign a professional contract with an English Premier League club. Authorities deemed him unable to “meet the criteria for deferment”
“As all male Singaporeans liable for full-time NS put aside personal pursuits to dutifully enlist… it would not be fair to approve applications for deferment for individuals to pursue their own careers and development,” said the Ministry of Defence in a statement.
“In sports, deferments are granted only to those who represent Singapore in international competitions like the Olympic Games and are potential medal winners for Singapore.”
Benjamin Davis, who will turn 18 this November, born from a Thai mother and a father who originated from UK holds three passports; Thai, British and Singaporean, signed a 2 year deal with Fulham this month. Benjamin was initially part of Fulham’s two-year scholarship.
His father, Harvey Davis, found the verdict “unrealistic†as his son would be expected to take two years out of football.
“I think it’s unrealistic to expect someone to take two years out from a professional football career and then just step back in afterwards,” he said. “At this critical stage, it just doesn’t make any sense.”
Mr Davis added: “We understand the importance of serving NS. My oldest son has already served and Benjamin will serve… [but it’s] a matter of timing.”
From an expert’s perspective “the two years of service would “affect [Benjamin’s] development, for sure.â€
Philippe Aw, a Singaporean professional football coach, said to BBC “It is possible to serve NS and train for football, but they cannot train like a professional and it will slow down their development,” he said. “NS men need to perform their duties then train, and then work again. Their bodies will not recover to an optimum state.”
Strong followers of The Premier League in Singapore are unhappy with the decision over Davis’ case. Many had expressed their dissatisfaction through social media.
One Facebook user said “This boy is denied an amazing opportunity. I am [at a] loss for words,” while another added “Can NS be more flexible? This is our only chance [to] succeed in the English Premier League.”
The verdict made did not only resulted to the pointing out of Singapore’s deputy Prime Minister Facebook post about a praised he gave the World Cup champions France for producing home-grown football players. But also raised state which called Benjamin to give up his Singapore citizenship.
“[There’s] no need to stay in Singapore if you feel pastures are better elsewhere,” one person said.
When seek for his reaction, Harvey Davis said “I wouldn’t know what choice we would have if we are forced into that position,†“Ben wants to play for Singapore, he feels he can contribute and make Singapore proud. But if he isn’t given the chance, then how can he do this?”
However, Harvey Davis told the BBC that his son was looking to appeal against the defence ministry’s decision.
There are record of three athletes who were granted NS deferment in Singapore. One of them was swimmer Joseph Schooling, who won the nation’s first ever Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Games.