In the two months since the Republic's hockey team finished runners-up at the Junior Asian Hockey Federation Cup in Hong Kong - one of their best outings for some time - the players are starting to reap the benefits of their success.
On Monday, Tan Yi Ru, 20, flew out to Paris to play for Racing Club de France. He will be joined by fellow defensive midfielder Muhammad Zulfadli Jasni Ismail, 18, who leaves tomorrow.
Junior team skipper Nur Ashriq Ferdaus Zul'kepli, 18, left for Belgian premier league side Gantoise Hockey Club last week.
The trio are on a three-month stint with the European clubs where they will get to experience life on a professional circuit.
The move has been engineered by national men's coach Solomon Casoojee through his contacts, with Ashriq funding his trip with the S$10,000 he received recently through the Peter Lim Sports Scholarship, while Tan and Zulfadli's stay in Paris will be fully covered by the French club.
"Certainly our recent results have been noticed by the international hockey community," said the South African, who also coached the national under-18 team to a fourth place finish during the under-18 Asia Cup held here in June.
But straight-talking Casoojee is under no illusions as to the quality of Singapore hockey and the task that lies ahead for him.
"The boys know they need to push harder and the three of them are not on a holiday," added Casoojee.
ORIGINAL SOURCE
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