03-08-2025
Forum: Should football club commitments be more important than representing school?
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As a parent whose son recently took part in the National School Games (NSG) football tournament, I was disheartened to see one of his teammates – a talented player on the Sailors Elite Scholarship Programme – miss two crucial fixtures because he was representing the club in an overseas competition.
I was told by a school leader that the school had no authority to prevent his absence, as the player was under contract with the club.
In the past, the NSG was treated as a key commitment, and exceptions were rare. Students who sought permission to skip matches for external engagements had to justify their absence, with national duty being one of the few acceptable reasons.
While I acknowledge the benefits of elite development programmes, we must ask: At what cost? Should schools relinquish control over their students' participation in national school sports simply because a private entity has signed them?
Amid these concerns, I want to highlight the dedication of my son's teacher-coaches, who juggle their teaching duties while passionately coaching the team. They have imparted not just football skills but also life lessons about resilience, teamwork and sportsmanship. I would also like to ask the players in the team to take pride in their grit, fighting spirit and unity.
I urge the Ministry of Education and the Football Association of Singapore to review the guidelines surrounding student-athletes in professional academies. Clear policies should ensure that school commitments are respected, and clubs should not have unchecked authority over young players.
The NSG fosters camaraderie, school pride, and holistic development. When young athletes are pulled away due to club obligations, it undermines the spirit of school sports and sends a troubling message about priorities at such an impressionable age.
Education and character development must remain paramount. Let's not allow external incentives to overshadow the values that school sports are meant to instil.
Tan Cheen Ming
