PGA Tour: Military Service Puts Sang-Moon's Career on Hold
The career of South Korean Bae Sang-moon is on hold amid reports he must return home to complete military service.
Bae had his overseas travel permit extension request rejected by the Military Manpower Administration on Monday, according to the Yonhap news agency.
All South Korean men between 18 and 35 must complete two years of military service, with the country still technically at war with North Korea after a peace treaty went unsigned following the 1950-53 Korean War.
The 28-year-old, who booked his ticket to the Masters with a win at the Frys.com Open in October, could face criminal charges if he doesn’t return to his home country within 30 days of his visa expiring.
All South Korean men between 18 and 35 must complete two years of military service, with the country still technically at war with North Korea after a peace treaty went unsigned following the 1950-53 Korean War.
However, the MMA can extend a person's permit to stay overseas for up to three years if they have acquired permanent overseas residency and have lived for at least one year in that country.
Bae has spent 133 days non consecutively in South Korea over the past 12 months while enrolling in graduate school and playing in events on the Korean PGA Tour. The law firm representing the golfer, Jipyoung, is arguing the 133 days falls within the legal limit.
The two-time PGA Tour winner may also have the chance to avoid military service with the Korean government waiving the mandatory practice for any athlete who wins Asian Games gold or an Olympic medal.
Bae, who is the highest ranked Korean golfer at No 84 in the official world golf ranking, would be expected to compete at the Rio Games in 2016 when the sport makes its return to the Olympics.
The 28-year-old, who has collected 14 wins as a professional worldwide, made his PGA Tour debut in 2012 and was granted US residency two years ago. There was lots of fun and excitement at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos on Sunday when the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament took place with matches played across various age groups in the Ekofootball Future Stars programme U-13 and U-15.
Women football was not left out with Ekofootball Golden Girls taking on Lagos Women Football amateur league selected.
The climax of the highly entertaining event was the match between Lagos All Stars and the APFON selected, with the executive Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola leading the All Stars International to a 4-1 victory over the APFON team.
Speaking after the event, Fashola urged Lagosians and Nigerians to emulate Akinwunmi by giving back to the society. He advised the youths to combine their football skills with education, adding that they cannot play football forever, hence the need for them to concentrate on their education as much as they are working on football skills.
The governor who score a text book header to seal victory for his side noted, "You can't play football forever, even though you want to, your body won't be able to stand it, hence its better you concentrate on your education so that you have something to fall back on after your playing days".
Also speaking during the event that had the NFF/LSFA selected team battle with the Trinity House team in the first novelty match of the day and Team WOZA taking on Team ICOBA in the other match to raise fund for charity.
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo praised the initiative of the organizers to create an avenue to give back to the community through charity.
Proceeds from the charity would be shared between Courage Educational Foundation and the payment of hospital bills of some indigent members of Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria, (APFON). Raffaele Marciello, part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy, has been appointed Sauber’s test and reserve driver for 2015.
The highly-rated Italian youngster will also continue to race in GP2 with Racing Engineering. Marciello claimed his maiden victory in the series at Spa in September and tested an F1 car for the first time in November when he drove the F14 T on the final day of the Abu Dhabi Test, finishing second fastest.
Sauber have also confirmed that Marciello will take part in an unspecified number of Friday practice sessions in 2015.
“I am really pleased to become a member of the Sauber F1 Team, which has a long term tradition in building up excellent drivers” said Marciello.
"I really think that this is the best choice for my future career. I am also happy to compete for one more season in the GP2 Series, which, together with my new F1 role, will give me a very busy 2015 season. I want to thank the Ferrari Driver Academy for giving me this important opportunity, and now I really can’t wait to start delivering my best.”
The appointment of the 20-year-old Marciello follows the recent announcement that ousted Sauber driver Esteban Gutierrez has joined Ferrari to be their reserve for 2015 while Toro Rosso outcast Jean-Eric Vergne will be the Scuderia’s new test and development driver.
Sauber, meanwhile, have chosen an all-new line-up of Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr for 2015.
It's expected that Marciello will replace Giedo van der Garde as Sauber’s test driver following the Swiss outfit’s decision to overlook the Dutchman for 2015.
“We are pleased to announce Raffaele Marciello as our test and reserve driver for the 2015 season," said team boss Monisha Kaltenborn. "He proved his great talent in junior formulas, and his season in the European Formula 3 Championship with 13 wins and the title victory was particularly impressive.
"We will give Raffaele the opportunity to become familiar with Formula 1, which also includes him taking part in some free practice sessions on Friday. It’s great for our team to be part of his way to Formula 1.”