SINGAPORE – The Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) is actively collaborating with relevant government entities regarding the possibility of a national service (NS) deferment for world champion kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder.
Chung Pei Ming, SSF’s head of high performance and coaching, confirmed that Maximilian is an athlete identified as needing support to balance sports commitments with NS obligations. Both the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) are part of these discussions.
Maximilian, who is a home-schooled teenager, recently secured the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou, followed by a victory at the Kitefoil World Series in Austria. He will turn 18 in September 2024, just a month after the Paris Olympics. Maximilian had already secured a spot for the Paris Olympics following his world title win at the Sailing World Championships in The Hague, Netherlands.
Chung stated that any decision regarding Maximilian’s NS deferment would depend on his performance at the Olympic Games, saying, “For his (Max’s) case it still depends on what his results are for the Olympic Games. There’s nothing concrete, but MCCY and Mindef know of this athlete and that maybe some arrangement might be needed for him.”
Chung emphasized the importance of prioritizing the nation’s interests over sports and reiterated, “When the time comes, Max will need to serve his obligation.”
Mindef has previously granted long-term deferment from full-time NS “very selectively for exceptional sportsmen” who are assessed to have the potential to win medals at international competitions like the Olympic Games and can bring national pride to Singapore. Swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen were notable cases of long-term deferment.
Maximilian, when asked about his NS obligations, expressed gratitude for the support from SSF and the Singapore Sport Institute, stating, “All I can do is place my faith in the people that support me and respect any decision that the ministry and federation make.”
Maximilian recently achieved victory in Austria at the Kitefoil World Series, demonstrating his continuing excellence in kitefoiling as he prepares for Olympic competition.
