The Coaching and Training (C&T) committee met today at the Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara. Among those who attended the meeting were BAM’s deputy president, Ybhg. Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, Honorary Secretary, Ng Chin Chai, Honorary Treasurer Dato’ Wira Lim Teong Kiat and Technical Director, Morten Frost. The meeting was held to discuss on many different areas.

Among them were the selection of national women singles player, Tee Jing Yi to the Olympics. Datuk Seri announced this afternoon that Tee Jing Yi will be the women’s singles representative to Rio.

In addition, he mentioned that National Sports Institute (ISN), her coaches as well as the Coaching & Training Committee had given the green light on her participation as she was certified fit and injury free to compete at the Games this coming August.

Datuk Seri also stressed that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had decided that players have to be evaluated in terms of their physical and mental fitness before they are allowed to compete in any tournament beginning from January next year.  

Aside from that, there were also some concerns regarding the ‘Centre of Excellence’ which is the second badminton hall with 18 courts being built beside the current national training center at Bukit Kiara. The initial completion of the hall was supposed to be September this year, however due to some problems, it has been delayed to December.

“We may face some issues when Juara Stadium goes under renovation this September for the upcoming SEA Games next year. At the same time, the new hall is still under construction and I still have my doubts that it will be completed by this year. We have to find an alternative plan to make sure that our players are still able to train without any disruption,” said the concerned Datuk Seri during the press conference.

Besides that, it was also informed that next year’s SEA Games and World Championship will be held at the same time, thus giving the possibility that BAM may have two groups to compete in these tournaments.

Datuk Seri did emphasize on the importance of winning gold medals Malaysia being the host country for SEA Games next year. He also said that he will make sure the issue is highlighted as soon as possible to find the best solution on this matter.