SINGAPORE — The decision by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to grant national swimmer Joseph Schooling deferment from full-time National Service (NS) could herald a whole new perspective towards sports in Singapore.

Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen announced in Parliament yesterday that MINDEF has accepted the 18-year-old’s application for a long-term deferment — a first for a national athlete — to prepare for the 2016 Olympic Games as he fulfilled all requirements, which include a strong track record and potential to do well at the highest international level.

The decision could mean the end to the common gripe about NS commitments affecting the sporting careers of Singapore’s best male athletes.

“Schooling is setting a standard ... If he succeeds, which I’m sure he will, it will send a very strong message to the Ministries of Defence and Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) that (such) opportunities can be worked into elite sport,” said veteran sports administrator Low Teo Ping, now President of the Singapore Rugby Union.

Swimming icon Ang Peng Siong, who served NS from 1986 to 1989 but had to apply for time-off for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, also said: “Hopefully, Joseph’s example will make other young talents in Singapore to want to work harder and aspire to heights like his. With this avenue, there is hope for us to see success. Otherwise, it will be a tough battle.”

Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) President Lee Bee Wah added: “Taking a two-year break from competition or even intensive training can be detrimental to (an athlete’s) career, especially when he is in his teens and at the upward climb of his performance.”

“With this groundbreaking announcement, we hope our athletes will serve NS after their prime performance period or major Games, thus ensuring nobody escapes their rightful duty without having their opportunities denied.”

The MCCY backed Schooling’s application after the Singapore Sports Institute deemed he had the potential to excel at the 2016 Olympics. With his deferment ending on Aug 31, 2016, he can concentrate fully on the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro from Aug 5 to 21, where he aims to medal, possibly in the 100m or 200m fly.

Jessie Phua, Singapore’s Chef de Mission at next year’s Asian Games in Incheon, applauded MINDEF’s decision as a “big step in the right direction”, and hopes talents beyond sports could also be considered.

She added: “There are some things that are age-sensitive, and sports is one of them. You can always serve NS later, but time waits for no one, especially sports. Talent is Singapore’s biggest asset, so why waste it?”