June 17, 2004

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) have handed Singapore's Tiger Cup hopes a shot in the arm.

2 months ago, national team coach Radojko Avramovic would be a worried man, after his talented trio of Baihakki Khaizan, Shahril Ishak & Ridhuan Muhammad received their National Service (NS) call-ups.

All 3 players are regulars in the national team & key players.

With the trio were scheduled to begin their Basic Military Training this month, it would have ruled them out of the Tiger Cup, which kicks off in December.

However the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) received word 2 weeks ago that their NS would be deferred to until after the Tiger Cup.

The successful appeal to defer Baihakki, Shahril & Ridhuan was supported by new FAS president Ho Peng Kee who is also the Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, as he wrote to his counterpart, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, to request for the trio's deferment.

Coach Avramovic was delighted with the Mindef move & he appreciates the important gesture by the Ministry as it shows that they understand the problems & is willing to help out.