Youth and Sports Ministry has no power to interfere in BAM’s policies, says Ti

PETALING JAYA: The Youth and Sports Ministry does not have the power to interfere in the affairs or the policies of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), says Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

The Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, however added that they are able to interfere only if there were issues raised or extended to the Ministry through the Malaysia Sports Commissioner (PSM).

Ti said he understood that the two national badminton players who had decided to turn independent had grabbed the attention of badminton fans not just in Malaysia but also in the world.

"The Ministry together with BAM has long-term and detailed plans as well as a large investment and high commitment to create an athlete that is of international standing.

"This investment includes the government’s commitment and the role of the National Sports Association as well as the continuity in sponsorship to ensure that the development programmes of athletes from the grassroots to the international level would be able to be planned and implemented smoothly," he said when replying to a question raised by William Leong Jee Keen (PH - Selayang) in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 2).

Leong had asked the reasons why BAM prevented its athletes from turning professional including preventing them from participating in international competitions.

Recently, Lee Zii Jia and Goh Jin Wei decided to turn independent after leaving BAM that resulted in them being penalised.

Their issues, however, were resolved following intervention by the Ministry.

Ti noted that athletes that made the decision to go independent or to turn professional would affect the objectives of a national sports association and the early and original planning of the athlete.

"This will have a huge impact and implications towards the national sports associations where it will create conflict between the sport body, the athletes, and the sponsors.

"The involved sport’s body too may have to take legal action due to the agreements that have been made by taking into account the presence of the athletes that have been identified in the relevant sports," he said.

He also hoped that national sports associations in the country would be able to refine and streamline their agreements between athletes, sponsors and relevant parties.

Ti said this was to ensure that the interest and the continuity of the development of national sports would be given priority in line with the career developments and the personal needs of an athlete.