[UPDATED] Aaron-Wooi Yik to receive RM400,000 reward for their world title: BAM

KUALA LUMPUR – Newly crowned world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are set to receive a whooping RM400,000 incentive for winning the world title in Tokyo yesterday.

The incentive includes RM150,000 each from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and RM 50,000 each from Yonex.

BAM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the association was initially prepared to gift each player with RM100,000, but after reconsideration, the figure was increased.

“I discussed this matter with the BAM council and decided to add another RM50,000 for the incentive,” he said at a press conference at Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.

At the same time, Norza said that he would discuss with Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu on increasing the shuttlers’ incentive from the National Sports Council, which is set at RM20,000 each.

“I am going to propose to the minister to consider an appropriate amount, as well as talk to other stakeholders to ensure that they are properly rewarded,” he said.

Norza said the world championship win now leaves Malaysia hungrier for an Olympic gold, as well as regaining the Thomas Cup title.

“We will work hard to bring back the glory days of Malaysian badminton. I believe with the players that we have and the pipeline that is in place, we can become a badminton powerhouse again.

“We are a badminton nation, but unfortunately for the past 45 years we have been on the back foot. But the win now has rectified this, and the moment has begun to produce more world champions,” he said.

Norza said Aaron-Wooi Yik’s victory is inspiration for other young shuttlers to step their game up, adding that the details of BAM’s plan to fast track junior players into an elite team would be announced soon.

Previously, Norza shared his intentions to form a junior elite team consisting of top players from the Academy of Badminton Malaysia (ABM) to be sent for international tournaments alongside the national team.

He said young players such as Justin Hoh, and girls’ doubles pair Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting who won at the India Junior International Series yesterday, are ready to be fast-tracked into the senior team.

Meanwhile, Norza said the plans for BAM to offer its facilities to more independent players in the country is in the works.

“BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny is discussing with the high-performance director Tim Jones on the terms and guidelines which will allow the participation of independent players in the association so that it would benefit all parties.”

Norza also said the national body will be working to prepare more shuttlers to break into the top ranks in the world if they wish to increase their presence at international tournaments.

“If we want to send two representatives for each category, we will need to have singles players that are ranked in the top 16, and doubles pairs need to be in the top eight.

“We will need a strategy to achieve this, but I believe we have all the right ingredients to be successful,” he said.

With the announcement that the Malaysian Open will kick off the BWF World Tour next year, Norza said the addition of the tournament as a grand slam (All-England, Malaysia Open, China Open, and Indonesia Open) proves that Malaysia has what it takes to deliver champions.

“We should be ready next year to show that our players can step up and compete at the highest level.”

He added that when Aaron-Wooi Yik return home, there will be a proper welcoming party to show the country’s respect and gratitude to the world champions. – The Vibes, August 29, 2022.