FAS Responds to Viral Post: Elite Sport Not for Everyone

Netizens are divided after a social media post by a Singapore youth footballer's mother went viral on Aug 27, following her son's omission from the national Under-16 team for forgoing an overseas training stint in Bahrain to prepare for his N-level exams.

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The mum, Norfasarie Mohd Yahya, said that her son Mika Baihakki had told the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) that he needed to remain in Singapore during the week-long September school holidays "to attend extra lessons and prepare for his N-level examinations, starting on Sept 15, just one day after the team's return from Bahrain".

Norfasarie, an actress-singer turned entrepreneur, added that Mika, 16, was told to return his kit and was informed that he would no longer be considered for the Under-17 Asian Cup qualifiers in November. Mika's father is former Lion Baihakki Khaizan, now the head of planning at the FAS' technical division office.

In a lengthy post shared on social media, which has garnered over 9,000 likes on Instagram and over 500 shares on Facebook, she questioned the decision, asking: "How is it fair to penalise a young, committed national player for choosing his crucial national examinations over a friendly game in Bahrain?"

She added that it is not just about "one boy or one trip", but "about building an environment where football and education are not in conflict... where no child is ever forced to choose between the two".

The U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers are from Nov 22 to 30 in Vietnam.

Singapore are in Group C with the hosts, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Northern Mariana Islands and Macau.