Deferment’s over but Zheng Wen can put in new request before enlistment date
Singaporean Olympian swimmer Quah Zheng Wen can ask for another deferment from National Service, provided he does it before his enlistment date. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong
SINGAPORE — National swimmer Quah Zheng Wen is expected to be called up for national service (NS) enlistment soon, after he did not submit an application for an extension of his initial deferment which ended on Aug 31.
However, TODAY understands that the 19-year-old can still submit an application for a second deferment any time before his enlistment date.
On Friday (Sept 2), speaking for the first time on the matter, Quah Tee Hwa, the swimmer’s father, told TODAY that the family has yet to arrive on a decision on the matter.
“We were not told of any deadline regarding deferment, and we have not yet made a decision on whether to apply for deferment,” he said.
The Ministry of Defence told TODAY that is has already informed Quah to report for pre-enlistment procedures.
“Mindef has not received any application for Mr Quah to be granted further deferment from full-time NS,” said a spokesman.
“He has been informed to report for pre-enlistment procedures, and he will be enlisted thereafter.”
Zheng Wen was granted long-term NS deferment in July 2015 to train for the 2016 Rio Olympics. He became only the second national athlete, after national team-mate Joseph Schooling, to be given the green light to do so by Mindef.
At last month’s Olympics, Zheng Wen qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 100m and 200m butterfly, clocking new personal best times in the process. He eventually finished 15th and 10th overall respectively.
In fact, Olympic gold medallist Schooling, 21, said two weeks ago during his short stay in Singapore after the Rio Games, that Quah has the potential to win a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“Two semis — that is really good. He has a lot more potential, and I think he can definitely win an Olympic medal, and even win (the gold) in 2020 if we keep on this path,” said the 100m butterfly champion and University of Texas undergraduate, who has been granted a further deferment from NS until after Tokyo.
“If he wants to go to the US, that’s good. If he wants to stay here, it’s fine too ... I think Zheng Wen has the talent to succeed anywhere he goes,” said Schooling.
