Singapore national youth footballer Mika Bazil Baihakki was allegedly dropped from the Under-17 national squad after informing the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) that he would be unable to attend an overseas friendly trip in Bahrain, due to his upcoming N-level examinations.
Mika, 16, recently made his national debut and played a pivotal role in the B Division boys’ football finals, scoring a hat-trick and leading his school to victory. He is the son of former national player Baihakki Khaizan and former actress Norfasarie Mohd Yahya.
In a public Facebook post on 26 August 2025, Norfasarie alleged that Mika was removed from the squad after deciding to stay in Singapore during the September holidays to prepare for his national exams, which begin on 15 September—one day after the team’s return from Bahrain.
Norfasarie wrote that Mika was told to confirm his decision by 24 August or be removed from the squad, excluded from AFC U17 tournament preparations, and return his national team kit. She said these consequences were meted out despite no allegations of poor performance or discipline issues.
“This was not because of poor performance. Not because of indiscipline. But simply because he made the responsible choice to prioritise his education,” she stated.
Speaking to Mothership, she added that Mika had informed the management weeks in advance of his academic commitments. She claimed no formal parental consent or school coordination was undertaken for the Bahrain trip and alleged the trip was planned at short notice.
FAS has not issued an official statement on the matter at the time of writing.
Allegations of miscommunication and planning concerns
Norfasarie’s post raised broader concerns about scheduling and youth welfare, questioning the timing of the trip during an exam preparation period. She also claimed that other players facing N-levels had opted to go on the trip out of fear of losing their spots.
She further questioned why players training abroad, such as those based in Spain who also did not attend the trip, were reportedly not penalised, calling it a possible double standard in squad selection.
“This is not about one boy or one trip,” she wrote, adding that “no teenager should ever feel cornered into saying ‘yes’ out of fear of being dropped.”
Public reaction and debate
The issue has sparked wide-ranging debate online, particularly on Reddit, where users discussed the implications of the alleged decision and what it says about youth sports development in Singapore.
Some commenters expressed concern over the rigid expectations placed on young athletes. One wrote, “No slack to be cut? His absence ruins the team’s chances? Is the squad depth that bad?” Another argued, “This is a national exam, not some end-of-year test.”
Others defended the importance of commitment. “Commitment to the team is important for team harmony,” one user stated, while another added, “In high-level sports, sometimes sacrifices have to be made.”
A few users claimed favouritism may have influenced Mika’s original selection, alleging that his father’s role in FAS played a part. One commenter wrote, “It’s well known in the youth football circle that the boy was chosen ahead of others because of who his father is.”
Another thread questioned the broader system, with users pointing out that many young athletes struggle to pursue sports professionally due to a lack of support infrastructure.
“Singapore isn’t ready for a legally trained Soh Rui Yong,” one quipped, referencing the long-distance runner’s previous clashes with sports authorities.
A frequently cited concern was that Singapore’s sports bodies, including FAS, have historically struggled to align academic and athletic priorities. A user commented, “Coordination between sporting bodies and schools has always been very poor, unless it’s an elite sport like swimming.”
Another stated, “FAS should have seen this coming. Exams happen every year, yet this keeps repeating. Poor planning.”
Diverging perspectives on youth priorities
Not all were sympathetic. Some users argued that choosing to miss the Bahrain trip amounted to a personal decision with foreseeable consequences.
“Asking for a return to the squad after skipping a training trip isn’t fair to those who made sacrifices,” wrote one. Others defended FAS’s position, arguing that maintaining consistency and cohesion within the team is essential, especially with tournament qualifiers approaching.
However, some were more critical of the institutional stance, questioning whether rigid enforcement of selection policies is appropriate for teenage athletes still navigating school responsibilities.
One user summarised the dilemma succinctly: “You can’t have it both ways. But dropping a player entirely over one missed friendly? That feels excessive.”
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