Whether you’re a football fan or not, you probably know who Ben Davis is.
In July 2017, Davis signed a professional contract with Fulham, becoming the first Singaporean to do so with a top English football club.
A day later, however, there was an audible sigh all over the country as news broke that the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) had rejected his application for long-term deferment from NS.
Davis was born in Thailand but moved to Singapore at the age of five and later became a citizen, meaning he would be conscripted under the NS scheme upon turning 18.
He never came back, though.
Now, it seems like another Singapore footballer is going through something similar.
Another Young S’porean Footballer, Harry Birtwistle, Skipping NS After He Signed with an EPL Club
Two days ago, it was reported that a Harry Birtwistle, a Singaporean, had signed a professional contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers, an English Premier League (EPL) club.
The only problem is that the soon-to-be 18-year-old defender hasn’t served NS yet, and seemingly doesn’t plan on doing so.
Today (29 Oct), Mindef said Birtwistle had gone abroad without a valid exit permit and had applied to renounce his citizenship.
“His applications were rejected as renunciation should not be used as a means to evade NS (national service) duties,” Mindef said.
It added that the 18-year-old has failed to register for NS, and based on Mindef’s correspondence with his family, it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen in the future either.
Birtwistle has consequently committed offences under the Enlistment Act, Mindef said.
Planned to Return to Singapore For Christmas
Birtwistle was born in Singapore and lived here until the age of 13, when he moved to England to pursue his dream of becoming a footballer in the EPL.
His mother is Singapore Chinese while his father is British. They were the ones who applied for Birtiwstle to renounce his Singapore citizenship.
The teen’s plans to return to Singapore for Christmas are now in the air due to Mindef’s announcement. Speaking to The Straits Times, he said he was open to representing Singapore, but said that would mean giving up his British passport and serving NS.
Those who default on their NS obligations, as Davies did, can face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to three years in prison.
Birstwile has featured in Wolves’ Under-23 team, but has also trained with the first team around once or twice a week.
As for Davis, he’s now playing for Oxford United on a two-year deal, and has also opted to represent Thailand.
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Featured Image: Instagram (Harry Birtwistle)