PETALING JAYA: Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has defended the RM1.3mil spent by the national body despite the team’s failure to bring home the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark.
Malaysia suffered a 0-3 defeat to China, extending the country’s 34-year wait to reclaim the Thomas Cup title.
Before heading to Horsens, the national players, along with the Uber Cup squad, underwent an eight-day centralised training camp in Herning.
Chong Wei said the decision to make the spending public was part of the new administration’s push for transparency, adding that the investment was necessary to ensure the players were fully prepared.
“We spent RM1.3mil because both the president, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and I wanted the public to know how the money was used instead of doing it quietly. Everything is documented,” said Chong Wei.
“We provided everything the players needed, including world-class training and facilities. Even during my playing days, I did not get to experience all this, but I do not want it to be used as a comparison.”
The former world No. 1 also said it was not easy to secure approval within BAM to spend heavily on the Thomas Cup campaign, but all parties worked hard to ensure the players received the best possible support.
“We sought sponsors to help provide for the players, and it was not easy to secure the funding,” he added.
Malaysia’s failure to win the Thomas Cup also means one of the four targets under the “Tangkis 2030” plan, introduced by Tengku Zafrul, has not been achieved.
The remaining objectives include producing three world No. 1 players, winning a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as well as developing a sustainable pipeline of champions and building a healthier Malaysia.
