KUALA LUMPUR – National athletes who decide to quit their respective sports associations and go solo in their pursuit of professional career risk derailing the association’s hard work spanning years.
Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said this includes affecting the objectives of the respective bodies and their plans that are already in place for the athletes and team.
In the case of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), he noted that long-term, careful planning for the development of the athletes have already been put in place, requiring huge investments.
These investments, he noted, include drawing in sponsors to ensure the planned programmes can be carried out.
“Athletes who opt to go solo will leave a huge impact and implication on the national sports associations, whereby there will be conflict between the association, athletes and sponsors.
“The sports association may even face legal action pursuant to the agreement that has been signed (with the sponsors),” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Ti was responding to William Leong (Selayang-PH) who wanted to know why BAM had initially refused to allow national shuttlers from going professional, including suspending them from taking part in any international tournaments.
This is in reference to badminton aces Lee Zii Jia and Goh Jin Wei who were initially banned from tournaments for two years beginning January 21, after they announced their decision to quit BAM.
Following criticisms from various quarters and appeals filed by the two shuttlers, BAM agreed to lift the ban on January 27.
Ti said he hopes more national sports associations will similarly iron out any issues concerning existing agreements between athletes, sponsors and any relevant parties for the interest and development of national sports.
In his supplementary question, Leong had queried if the ministry agrees with BAM’s handling of the situation, saying the association appears more interested in making profits, to the point of damaging the careers of athletes aspiring to turn professional.
In response, Ti said despite the tough, initial decision to ban the shuttlers, BAM also allowed room for appeal, and said that the association was merely acting by the books.
“BAM has also taken care of these athletes since they are in school,” he said.
“When they become senior players, it is BAM’s responsibility to ensure development programmes continue to be carried out, especially in the hope of attracting investments from sponsors.” – The Vibes, March 2, 2022
