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SINGAPORE - Mention football and Nanyang Polytechnic student Sameer Ashraff perks up because he loves a game anytime.

But mention pull-ups and the standing broad jump, and the 20-year-old slumps in defeat.

Those are the two items in the National Physical Fitness Assessment (Napfa) test that stop him from getting the minimum requirement of a Silver award for National Service-bound students.

A Silver would allow him to skip an additional eight-week physical training programme.

Known as the Physical Training Phase (PTP), it lengthens National Service (NS).

So Mr Sameer welcomes the idea mooted by Second Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing to have the Napfa test a year earlier for polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education (ITE) so those who are struggling to meet the minimum requirements will have a year to get in shape.

"It gives people second chances if they fail the test... the more chances you have, the higher the possibility of you passing," said Mr Sameer.

Mr Chan, a former army chief, who also sits on the Committee to Strength-en National Service, told reporters that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is working with schools on a possible scheme that could be similar to the military's voluntary fitness programme.

It allows unfit operationally ready national servicemen to prepare for the Individual Physical Proficiency Test.

Polytechnic and ITE students TNP spoke to were mostly in favour of this idea.

ITE College West student Nicholas Lau, 19, said: "I know many people fail the test so this is a better approach to ensure that there are fewer failures. It saves you from going into the PTP batch and serving for an extra two months, too."

TIMING

But Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Nigel Lopez, 19 did not agree with the timing.

"It's good that they want you to pass, but it's our choice to decide when we want to go. By choosing our own timing, we know when we are the most ready and prepared for the test," he said.

This proposal, if approved, will build on the existing programmes some polytechnics already have in place to help prepare NS-bound students.

For instance, some polytechnics have compulsory sports programmes for first-year students and an optional one for second-year and third-year students.

Singapore Polytechnic's director for student development, Mr Choo Keng Hui, attributed the need for such a programme to the students' sedentary lifestyle.

Mr Choo also said that while the idea of having an earlier Napfa test is good, there are challenges with the timing. He suggests an extension to the validity of the test result beyond the current one year for it to be "meaningful".

He said: "Our students have given feedback, (saying) that they hardly have time to train as they have to focus on exams and final-year projects during this period (October to November)."

He added: "Most students have their internships during this period and it is quite disruptive for them to apply for leave and travel back to SP to take the test."

Fitness programmes for students

NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC

Sports & Wellness module

Introduced in 1992, it is mandatory for all first-year students. students are also encouraged to take up an optional Year 3 Personal Fitness Management module.

Pre-Enlistee Preparation Programme (P3)

Launched in October, the P3 is an initiative to help further prepare students for the Napfa test and NS.

SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC

Sports for Life (SFL)

The pilot programme, launched in 2011, is compulsory for all first year students, and optional for others.

It aims to help students develop a passion for sports and lead a balanced active life beyond the classroom. The sports modules offered under SFl include popular items like rock climbing, dance and yoga.

NANYANG POLYTECHNIC

Fitness & Wellness module

Launched in 2011, it is a compulsory 30-hour module for all males in their final year who will be enlisting for NS. lessons are geared towards improving their fitness for NS.

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