NFL clubs cry foul over non-release of players serving NS

SINGAPORE – There are just weeks to go before the start of this year’s National Football League (NFL) season, but several clubs are likely to enter the new campaign with thin or depleted squads because of a Ministry of Defence (Mindef) policy rule that prevents players who are serving national service (NS) from playing for them.

Previously, players not selected for either the National Team, Garena Young Lions (GYL), or NFL outfits Singapore Armed Forces SA (Safsa) and Police Sports Association would be given the green light to train and play for other NFL clubs, so long as it did not interfere with their regular NS duties. 

But TODAY understands that at least six NFL division one clubs have been rebuffed in their requests for Safsa or Police to allow these players to join them for the coming season, despite the clubs having already obtained approval from the players’ respective NS units.

The reason provided is that it is Mindef’s policy for all full-time National Servicemen or regulars to play only for Safsa or Police, if they are not in the National Team or the Young Lions set-up.

This has raised the ire of the clubs who feel that Safsa and Police are trying to gain an unfair advantage in this season’s 12-team NFL Division One tournament by weakening their rival teams.

Director of football at reigning NFL champions Eunos Crescent, R Vengadasalam, said: “We are deeply unhappy over this because we feel it compromises the integrity of the league. There are many good players in NS now who cannot train or play competitively as a result, while NFL teams are weakened. It doesn’t make sense.”

Venga, a veteran football official, added that he, along with several other affected NFL club officials, have requested to meet Safsa and Police sometime this week to try and resolve this issue.

Agreeing with Venga, Yishun Sentek Mariners coach Yakob Hashim said that he would like to see Safsa and Police kicked out of the league if this “unfair” policy was not reversed.

“Football has always been about fair play, but if you can’t be fair, then you shouldn’t be in the league,” the former national goalkeeper said. “Go on and form their own league with their own rules instead.

“We have a few players who want to play for us, but they can’t be released. However, we did not have this issue in previous seasons. So why the sudden change?

“We want the league to go to the next level, but by refusing these players the opportunity to join other NFL clubs, then they’re not doing justice to the league.”

Safsa and Police SA officials declined comment when contacted, saying they were just following policy.

Lim Kia Tong, the interim president of the FAS provisional council, said the FAS is “engaging the relevant people of Safsa and Mindef to address the issue and find a sporting solution” but declined further comment because of the ‘sensitive nature’ of the issue.

Meanwhile, some clubs are experiencing difficulties finding suitable players for the season ahead.

According to NFL regulations, teams can register only six players aged 27 and above. This means that clubs tend to rely on players serving NS to fill their 25-man squad.

Zairi Ahmari, the club secretary of GFA Sporting Westlake, explained: “We are having problems getting quality players who are 27 and below. Those who are out of NS will usually join the S.League clubs, or maybe become too busy with work to commit to the team.

“So clubs will look to the players who are serving. But now that we’re denied them, we will have to start looking at even younger players, maybe those in tertiary institutions. But these youngsters aren’t matured as players yet, so our team becomes weaker as a result.

“So it’s definitely an unfair advantage for Safsa and Police. Hopefully, the FAS will be able to help us out with this.”

A NFL club official, who declined to be named, added: “Due to our small population, the number of young players available is already quite small. And we are already letting Safsa and Police get first choice in selecting players in NS. Yet now, they want to prevent the next tier of players from playing for the other clubs.

“It’s selfish of them, and basically this whole issue boils down to (bad) sportsmanship.”

NFL clubs are not the only ones losing out because of this issue.

Hougang United head coach Philippe Aw believes that it is important for players to get regular competitive playing time during NS if they are to ever succeed at a professional level.

“If they are going to stop playing during NS, it’s going to be very difficult for them to reach a competitive level again when they’re out,” he said.

“The age where boys do NS is one which is critical in their development.

“So it’s important for aspiring footballers to train and continue playing during NS. The NFL is a good outlet for them, because it is a tough league with quality.”

Added Siglap FC team manager Alim Omar: “Ultimately, this policy is unfair to the players, because you are preventing them from playing regularly and improving.

“In the end, they have to play in the Sunday leagues to get their football fix, and the quality there might not be as good.

“Also, by playing in the NFL, they can get spotted by S.League clubs, which could mean potential careers in professional football for them.”

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this report, we reported that players serving NS and playing for clubs other than SAFSA and Police SA, could not be fielded against SAFSA or Police SA. This is incorrect. MINDEF has informed us that they could play against SAFSA. We are sorry for the error.