“I would do anything in order to save the play and win a point. And that is the badminton game.” – Lee Chong Wei, Malaysian legend shuttler
I WOULD rank the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) as the second sports body in terms of prominence and importance in the country after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
Why is the BAM such an important sports association? Well, badminton is considered a national sport due to Malaysia’s international success, especially in the Olympics, Thomas Cup and the BWF (Badminton World Federation) Super Series.
Since the 1960s, Malaysians have been known to excel in badminton, having won world-class tournaments like the prestigious All-England, for one.
In the modern era, Malaysia has also produced world-class badminton players like the Sidek brothers and Lee Chong Wei.
More recently, we have a younger batch of men’s singles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles players who have also impressed on the international circuit. Unfortunately, their performances have been erratic, and many were also ruled out of participating in high-level competitions due to injuries.
As an ardent badminton fan who follows our badminton fortunes on the world circuit, I would say that currently, Malaysian badminton is struggling. However, some players are still considered world beaters on a good day. But we seriously need to buck up and be more consistent in challenging the top players in the world.
Without a doubt, BAM plays a crucial role in the development of badminton in the country. This means the welfare and career (read livelihood) of shuttlers in its stable are in the hands of those running BAM.
Of late, we have heard of some prominent national shuttlers who are considering leaving BAM and going independent if they do not receive a better deal, moving forward.
Naturally, the transition of national badminton players to the professional realm is a familiar occurrence (such as the case of Lee Zii Jia, the current top-ranked men’s singles player). However, individuals often seek opportunities elsewhere for improved prospects. This trend implies that certain individuals may harbour uncertainties about the security of their future and livelihood within the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
It is also not uncommon to hear of officials of sports bodies being criticised by the public, and BAM is no exception. It is a fact that Malaysians are deeply passionate about badminton, and BAM has been central to that passion.
The association has faced criticism for bureaucracy, politics, and favouritism in player selection and internal governance.
The frequent changes in coaching staff and national team setups have also sparked concerns about long-term planning and player development.
Public expectations remain unmet in terms of producing consistent world champions and modernising its approach.
Many Malaysians feel BAM must adapt or risk being overshadowed by independent academies and foreign-trained athletes.
Perhaps, there is light at the end of the tunnel with the appointment of Cabinet minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz on May 10 as the new BAM president for the 2025-2029 term.
It’s good to know that the new boss is aware of the problems in BAM. The man knows that he would not have it easy at the helm of this important sports body.
Tengku Zafrul told reporters on the day he was elected that he needed 100 days to obtain views from stakeholders, players, coaching staff and sponsors before formulating a strategic and effective plan for the development of the national sport.
Tengku Zafrul said he needed time to understand and examine the proposals or issues plaguing the sport. According to him, it was the best approach toward building a comprehensive and realistic plan to boost the country’s chances in international competitions.
I think that Tengku Zafrul can start to move BAM forward by professionalising BAM’s governance and introducing transparent leadership structures and decision-making processes.
He has to ensure that BAM’s leadership is based on sports meritocracy, not political convenience. It is also prudent to avoid the perception of favouritism, cronyism, or political appointments in coaching or player management.
The sooner BAM recognises the new reality that it no longer has a monopoly on talent, the better. Build connections with autonomous athletes and shift away from confrontational interactions by engaging with independent badminton players (not explicitly named here) or individuals who may consider separating from the governing body.
The new team can also improve the coaching systems by hiring and retaining world-class coaches with clear, long-term development plans, not just short-term tournament targets.
As a corporate guy, Tengku Zafrul should have no problem improving communication with the public – explain decisions, celebrate successes and own up to failures. His political experience, particularly in dealing with the masses, should also be useful.
As a younger and more energetic person, Tengku Zafrul has a chance to modernise BAM into a high-performance, transparent and innovative body.
But that will require less politics, more professionalism and a culture shift inside BAM.
I’m sure many badminton fans will readily join me in wishing Tengku Zafrul well at the helm of BAM. We want to see Malaysian badminton up another notch.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.
