PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have opened the doors to the independent players and pairs to attend the weekly matchplay sessions at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
BAM, in a statement on Monday (Nov 21), stated the independent men’s and women’s singles players must be ranked in the top 50 and the doubles pairs must in the top 30 bracket to be eligible to attend the sessions.
"As sparring sessions are a necessary component in training, BAM feel these joint sessions will provide mutual benefits to the national senior squad and independent shuttlers," read the BAM statement.
“These sessions will also help enhance the camaraderie between players and the officials particularly when they represent the country in team competitions.
"Independent singles player in the top 50 and doubles pairs in the top 30 are eligible for the sessions. The independent players or pairs listed in the top five of the national rankings will also be considered."
BAM have proposed the sessions to be held on Wednesday mornings for singles and doubles while an additional session will be held for the doubles on Fridays.
Independent shuttlers and pairs are required to contact the nationals singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann or national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky respectively by Monday if they wish to attend joint sessions for the week.
Earlier, BAM high performance director Dr Tim Jones had said that the coaches of the independent shuttlers were also allowed to accompany them for the sessions.