Respect ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ – Khairy to BAM

PUTRAJAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has requested all parties involved in the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ on the leadership transition at the Badminton Association of Malaysia ( BAM) to be honest and respect it.

“It is not a formal or written agreement, but one done verbally between individuals, and I think those involved must respect it.

“If we think we honour the agreement, we should stick to it. If the agreement is not a written one, we cannot compel or enforce it,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a sponsorship agreement between the Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (MASOC) and plastic packaging company SCGM Group at the ministry here yesterday.

Bernama had previously reported that BAM president Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff, who took leave from office since October 2015, made a succession deal with the two top leaders of the association.

According to the agreement, acting president Tan Sri Al Amin Abd Majid will give way to Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria after the Rio Olympics in 2016 or at the end of the term of the existing committee.

However, Al Amin, who is also interested in the hot seat, has denied he was involved in the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’.

The BAM election is expected to take place during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) next month.

In the meantime, commenting on the success of women’s high jump athlete Yap Sean Yee who managed to improve her national record, Khairy said it bode well for the national athletics squad in the upcoming Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

“We had one of our worst performances in the Singapore SEA Games in 2015. Many people want to see the revival of Malaysian athlectics...I hope it begins at the SEA Games,” he said.

Yap char ted a leap of 1.81 metres in the Kuala Lumpur Spor ts School s Council ( MSSKL) Athletic Chmapionships at the National Sports Council (NSC) Complex in Set iawangsa Sunday, overcoming her previous record of 1.79m achieved at the Pahang Open Championship in 2015. — Bernama