BAM warn players against suspicious calls even during inactive period

KUALA LUMPUR: The season is quiet without any badminton tournaments but there is a buzz about unidentified calls in the national camp.

It’s unsure whether they are from match-fixers but as a preventive measure, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have warned the national players not to answer any suspicious and unidentified calls.

BAM secretary Datuk Kenny Goh (pic) said they were not taking any chances although it has been more than two years since two Malaysian independent players – Zulfadli Zulkifli and Tan Chun Seang – were banned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for their involvement in match-fixing.

The duo were banned 15 years and 20 years respectively for match-fixing in 2018. They were fined US$15,000 (RM59,000) and US$25,000 (RM98,000).

“Players are more cautious and careful after the last incident. I can attest that none of our players are involved but it does not mean that we are not monitoring the situation. We will continue to be on guard, ” said Kenny.

“We’ve heard of calls but we’ve given strict orders to players not to pick up any from people whom they don’t know. And if they are suspicious of anyone or anything, we’ve told them to inform us immediately.”

Kenny said he was first made aware of match-fixing and betting when BWF secretary-general Thomas Lund made an official visit to the BAM in 2015. Then, Kenny was the general manager before he left for Badminton Asia.

“Of course, we’ve heard of match-fixing before that but they were always hearsays and rumours until that visit, ” recalled Kenny.

“I was with Datuk Ng Chin Chai (the secretary then). Thomas informed us that the world body were monitoring match-fixing. He informed that they have been working together with several local authorities and were looking at putting in place a mechanism to curb match-fixing.

“They have engaged a software company to come out with an algorithm to detect irregularities in results. He spoke about the whistleblower policy in BWF.

“We were also told that the BWF were monitoring someone in the local badminton circle here on this matter. They were keeping close tabs on what were shared on the social media platforms as well.

“Eventually, it led to two Malaysian independent players being investigated and banned.”

Kenny said he was aware that occasionally, the BWF would call up players to be interviewed.

“I’m assuming that these players are either called to provide some information as a witness or it could be that they are the suspects, ” he said.

“All these, however, are done under wraps as the world body will not take the risk of identifying anyone unless they have solid evidence to prove there has been match-fixing.”

At BAM’s level, Kenny said they would continue to adhere to BWF’s code of conduct. In fact, in 2018, all the BAM players signed an anti-corruption pledge after a brief session with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“We don’t hear it as much as before, which shows all the efforts taken to curb this menace is working, ” he said.

In September 2018, the BAM suspended a promising junior doubles player from all tournaments – both local and international – for four months for his addiction to Internet gambling. It’s also learnt that he owed people money.