KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) admitted that there is room for improvement in the governing body’s structure and management styles, but the current situation is not as bad as reported by an English daily today.
BAM in a statement today said, it always welcomes comments and constructive criticism from the media, but the report painted a bleak impression that BAM management was in total disarray.
The article titled ‘Total Revamp and House Cleaning’ published in the daily today alleged that BAM’s “archaic methods of management and rigid structures had failed to benefit the sport” and that the “Jurassic BAM must wake up” for the level of badminton in the country to rise again.
BAM explained that the association consists of former players who make technical decisions regarding the selection of players and coaching methods, thus strongly refute allegations that it was BAM Council that made decisions on coaching structure and the selection of players.
BAM, as a progressive association, is constantly reviewing its plans and with the advice of the Director of Coaching and national coaches and had made several changes for improvement during the last few years, the statement added.
Following are BAM’s explanations:
1. As the governing body of the sport of badminton, we are indeed concerned and that’s why every individual in the association has always worked tirelessly for the past years to ensure the continued progress of the sport.
2. However, we must work within the framework of the BAM Constitution and the principle of proper governance, which we have been able to put in place. BAM has put a systematic development programme within the eco-system on all fronts.
3. Everyone in the association has their own respective roles and the Council, as the strategic governing body, serves to oversee and set the overall direction. There are also technical experts comprising former players who make technical decisions related to the selection of players and coaching methods. Nonetheless, like any democratic organisation, everyone has the liberty to express their opinion. However, the final decision regarding technical matters eventually lies with those with the ‘know-how’. We, thus strongly refute allegations that the Council makes decisions on coaching structure and the selection of players.
4. As a progressive association, we are constantly reviewing our plans and with the advice of the Director of Coaching and national coaches, we have made several changes for improvement during the last few years. These changes shall continue to be reviewed periodically and changes will be made if necessary. The hiring of a National Director of Coaching is also one of the many ways of improving and streamlining BAM’s coaching structure.
5. Much efforts have been put in but unfortunately, the results at the recently concluded World Championships have not been favourable to the national badminton squad. Rest assured, continuous efforts are being made to improve the overall structure. Even that, the Director of Coaching and the coaches will be consulted.
6. At the third Council Meeting for the year 2019 in July, BAM President, Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria announced that the state badminton association’s grant will be channelled based on the respective grassroots development of each state and thus, empowering the states.
7. Once again, we would like to thank the New Straits Times for their concern in the development of the sport and also value its support. But, it is rather alarming when reports are published without fair representation and without truly understanding the matter at hand. – Bernama
