NS could hinder Fulham Ben Davis midfielder's progress, say members of the football community

SINGAPORE: Members of the local football fraternity warned that the development of Benjamin Davis could be disrupted by two years of national service, following the news that his request to defer his NS was rejected.

The 17-year-old midfielder signed a two-year contract with Fulham, the new Premier League club (EPL) announced on his website Friday (July 13). Benjamin, the first Singaporean to sign a professional contract with a top British club, will turn 18 in November 19659003 Advertisement

Former Hougang United coach Philippe Aw told Channel NewsAsia that if Benjamin had to juggle the NS and play football, his growth as a footballer will be hampered.

"It is guaranteed that its development will be reduced for sure," said Aw.

"It's not easy to serve the NS and play football: a young player who trains in Singapore against a young player who trains in Fulham, c & rsquo; Is a big difference – enough for a young player to grow faster. "

A former Singapore international who refused to be named agreed with Aw .

"This responsibility has always been a hindrance to the experience of playing abroad is crucial for a young player, said midfielder Albirex Niigata Adam Swandi , who spent nearly two years at the academy of the French club Metz.

"That helped me mature as a player, it was the vital age for me to pass from a aspiring player to a professional player, "stressed Adam.

He returned home for the Southeast Asian Games 2015 and said that he understands"

[19659013] "Of course, as a footballer, you will not want to waste the two years that could be an important period, but NS is a part of (life) that you can not" There are so many d & rsquo; benefits to being Singaporean – that's part of life, you have to go through it. "
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In the MINDEF statement, the min istère said that very few applications have been approved over the years and for sports, exceptions are given to those who represent Singapore in international competitions such as the Olympics and are potentially medals.

Only three of them have met this criterion in the last 15 years – swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen, as well as sailor Maximilian Soh.

But Aw believes that the postponement criteria should also take into account the level of football at which Davis could soon be playi ng.

"It's a gold medal in football – playing football in the top five leagues of the world," Aw quipped. "There never was a Singaporean who did that."

Former national coach Vincent Subramaniam, however, does not think that Benjamin's development could be seriously affected.

"The hindrance (to his football growth) is minimal," he said. "It is certainly possible that he continues to train, the talent does not disappear, he stays with you."

He cited the example of South Korean star Son Heung-Min, who could still serve despite being one of the biggest Asian stars in Europe.

"This kind of sacrifice must be done for the country," insisted Subramaniam, who had several full-time NSmen under his protection. He was the trainer of the Singapore Armed Forces FC from 1996 to 1998.

"Ben might find that it might be best to serve NS as soon as possible, to put him in the position. gap and continue his career in football.] "This would be the best option for him because he was to serve at the peak of his career, it would be even worse."