BAM to begin ‘spring cleaning’ after Rio Olympics

National shuttler Liew Daren

KUALA LUMPUR: You have been warned!

Under-performing players and coaches are at risk of being kicked out of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next August.

BAM deputy president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, who chaired the coaching and training committee meeting on Wednesday, did not mince his words, saying the focus after the Rio Olympics will be developing younger talents.

“Due to cost constraints, we expect players going for tournaments to deliver fast. Now, they are being sent to about 20 to 30 events a year, but we’re still getting mediocre results,” he said.

“The players have to buck up and deliver.

“From now on, even the coaches’ performance will be evaluated,” added Norza, following the first-round exit of Singapore SEA Games champion Chong Wei Feng and Liew Daren at the Thailand Open in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Wei Feng and Liew Daren are the two most experienced singles shuttlers in BAM after world No. 24 Lee Chong Wei. The others are Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Goh Soon Huat and Soo Teck Zhi.

“Any action, however, will only be taken after next August as we need sparring partners for Chong Wei in his preparations for the Rio Olympics,” said Norza.

“We have to give full assistance to Chong Wei as he seeks to qualify for the Olympics.

“It will be his last Olympics if he makes it and coach Morten Frost is already identifying his potential replacements.

“So, those who do not meet our expectations will have to go.”