Although I am disappointed that our Under-23 football team is not in the Asian Games, I am doubly happy this has happened (Sync swimmers in, footballers out; May 31).

For a long time, our Lions and Young Lions have been given a free pass, even when they repeatedly failed to deliver results.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has always relied on the same old argument that overseas training and playing against top quality opponents are key for the team to enhance its competitiveness and development.

Millions of dollars have been invested in them over the past two decades, and they have nothing to show for it. It is time for FAS to learn that, in Singapore, we operate on the principle of meritocracy.

I hope the Singapore National Olympic Council will reject any appeal by FAS for the Young Lions to get another free ticket until they buck up and start showing results.

Patrick Tan Siong Kuan