Schooling could get further NS deferment if he meets conditions
Joseph Schooling poses with his parents. File photo
SINGAPORE — Singapore’s golden boy Joseph Schooling could be granted further deferment of full-time National Service if he continues to meet “conditions” spelt out three years ago, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said last night when asked about the possibility.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of a community event, Dr Ng said: “When we deferred him in 2013 so that he could train and compete for the (Rio) Olympics, it was based on known conditions that I already explained to Parliament. If he continues to meet those conditions, I don’t see why not.”
Mr Schooling, who was due to enlist in 2014. was granted a two-year deferment after his parents appealed to the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) with detailed plans outlining his training schedule and targets, with the goal of representing Singapore at the Rio Games.
Dr Ng said in Parliament in 2013 that the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth had assessed that Mr Schooling had “potential to do well” in the Games based on his track record in past competitions.
“Deferment from full-time NS may be granted in exceptional circumstances to individual sportsmen, who are assessed to be potential medal winners at international competitions like the Olympic Games and bring national pride for the country,” Dr Ng told the House.
“Individuals will have to show why deferment is necessary for them to train full-time and compete successfully at international competitions.”
The deferment ends on Aug 31, but after the 21-year-old’s historic win in the men’s 100m butterfly on Saturday, calls for the deferment to be extended have flooded social media.
Singapore Swimming Association secretary-general Oon Jin Teik has also vouched “full support” if Mr Schooling appeals for another deferment, noting how he has “two to three more Olympic Games to go in him” with more medal opportunities.
To suggestions that Mr Schooling even be exempted from full-time NS, Dr Ng said: “We should take it a step at a time ... Let’s see how it goes.
“At this point in time, we should really focus on congratulating Mr Schooling ... It’s his efforts, his parents’ support, as well as the community that has allowed him to achieve such heights even at a young age.
“The whole of Singapore is elated, (feeling) the pride over Joseph Schooling’s historic achievement ... Let’s use this moment to come together and congratulate him,” said Dr Ng, referring to a motion to be passed in Parliament today to congratulate Mr Schooling. Asked if the swimmer’s unprecedented achievement may have broken down psychological barriers to granting deferments, Dr Ng said: “The conditions have been always quite clear, and if sportsmen achieve those conditions, we’ve had no problem in granting those deferments.”
Earlier in the day, Acting Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng said the Government, community and parents must all come together in order to nurture more Joseph Schoolings.
“There are many opportunities for our kids, not just from the Education Ministry, but from successful personalities in Singapore who would sponsor scholarships for kids with sporting abilities,” he said, citing billionaire Peter Lim as an example.
“So, all the different parts ... let’s see how we can enable the kids together, in all senses of the words ‘holistic education’.”
Mr Ng, who was at the Singapore Children’s Society fundraising walkathon, stressed that sports was an “integral” aspect of education.
“I enjoyed (sports) when I was in school, and I think Joseph Schooling doing so well would inspire many kids and some of the parents to invest the time to build our children’s character in terms of leadership, tenacity, resilience, discipline,” he said.
“All these will come forward to ... balance out the overemphasis on academics today.”
He added: “Joseph Schooling is really the pride of Singapore — not just winning the Olympic gold, but his exemplary behaviour shows forth good character. And I think he’s going to be a role model for many youngsters in our schools for many generations.”
On whether the Republic could look beyond just the Singapore Sports School to nurture sporting talent, he said: “We should always aspire for more, for such developments in enabling the kids’ development. So, whether it’s (the) sports school, or other opportunities, let’s explore.”
