The Asian Games, starting on August 18th, are not something that will receive much attention in this part of the world, but Spurs fans have a big reason to track the progress of Son Heung-min and his South Korean team.
Taking place in Indonesia, the games hold an added significance for Son, as they may be his final opportunity to earn an exemption from the compulsory Korean military duty that has the potential to take away two years of his career.
In the Asian country, all able-bodied men aged between 18 and 35 must serve at least 21 months military service, and professional athletes are no different.
Exemptions cans be granted, but only in special circumstances. Athletes must win either an Olympic medal or a gold in the Asian Games to avoid the service, although, even then, they will still have to undergo four weeks of basic combat training.
Korean Premier League players Ki Sung Yeung and Park Chu-young received an exemption after winning Bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.
Manchester United's Park Ji-sung was also excused after he contributed to the country reaching the semi-final of the 2002 World Cup, a tournament they co-hosted with Japan.
With Son recently celebrating his 26th birthday, this year's games along with the 2020 Olympics represent his last chance to avoid the two year conscription.
An outstanding performance at this year's FIFA World Cup may have also resulted in an exemption, but unfortunately for Son the team exited at the group stage despite a 2-0 victory over Germany.
In ordinary circumstances it would be highly unlikely that Spurs would release Son for the games, so they clearly feel it is important that he avoid his military service.
If he were forced to enter the military a few years down the line it not only would be a huge to blow to the team were he still it at the club, it could also have an adverse effect on his transfer value should the club ever decide to sell him.
South Korea have been technically at war with neighbours North Korea since 1953, although tensions have been eased between the two countries in recent times with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April of this year.
