BAM TO PROBE BETTING SCANDAL
Norza orders national body’s subcommittees to investigate expose by national coach
THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) will conduct a thorough investigation into allegations of shuttlers’ involvement in betting activities during training.
BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria has instructed the national body’s sub-committees to investigate the claim made by a national coach.
Norza confirmed that the national body’s sub-committees (rules and discipline; coaching and training) have been told to look into it.
When contacted in Indonesia, Norza, who is also the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, said he is aware of it.
On Monday, NSTP Sport received an email from a BAM council member, sent to him by a national coach, who claimed that shuttlers were betting during training.
The coach also took the coaching and training committee to task for failing to deal with several coaches, who are said to be encouraging the unhealthy activity within the national setup. Norza said: “Yes, I have read the email. There were certain allegations made, so I have instructed our subcommittees to conduct an investigation as soon as possible.” The timing of these allegations could not have come at a worse time especially when the Malaysian badminton camp fell short in their bid to win a medal at the Indonesia Asian Games.
BAM, have also on several occasions, stressed on the importance of staying away from unhealthy practices.
In fact, BAM had made a pledge to dismiss shuttlers who are involved in betting, gambling or match-fixing activities.