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Mr Boyle Ng Chai Tee’s letter “ ” (Aug 15) made me think deeply about the matter, and I concluded that I cannot agree with his point of view. First, the nature of service in the military and in sports is vastly different. National service is an obligation and necessary for the country’s survival, while service in sports is a choice – great but not an absolute must to have. It is the difference between water and wind, fire and ice, air and aroma. Second, it is debatable if winning an Olympic medal falls under the category of national service. Few, if any, start out at a young age in a sport with the topmost aim of bringing glory back to our shores. One may be eventually good enough to represent Singapore overseas and be very proud to wear the Team Singapore red jacket, but it does not equate to service. Third, what would the signalling then be to athletes who do not win medals at the Olympics? Thank you very much for your time, but not your service?     Lastly, why only sports then, and not other fields? Should young Travis Wong, winner of a prestigious global violin competition just a few months ago, be exempted when he reaches enlistment age? As with a myriad of men who have brought fame and recognition to Singapore in many arenas. I support keeping the existing policy of national service deferment extremely strict and according it only to those with the highest potential. Exemption should not be on the table.