BAM appoint Michelle as new general manager
KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have hired former football administrator Michelle Chai Han Ching as their new general manager after an executive committee meeting at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
The 42-year-old is the first woman to hold a top post in the BAM set-up.
Michelle, of Kedah, was the assistant to the chief operating officer of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Football Association for the last six years. She had also held various administrative positions in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for 12 years.
BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria justified Michelle’s selection by saying she was the “most suitable candidate” out of 11 on the short-list.
“She has been involved very much in the development of football in the UAE and AFC. She has experience and exposure,” said Norza, who chaired the four-hour meeting yesterday.
“She has not done badminton but, for a person who has handled football (for a total 16 years), badminton should not be difficult.”
Said Michelle: “I’m delighted to be back home serving the sports fraternity again. Although the sport is different, the principle of development and management is similar.
“I’m happy to come on board under the leadership of the new president. There are big plans to transform the profile of badminton.
“The challenge is unique and interesting and I’m looking forward to working together with the BAM family.”
Norza also announced the appointment of Dr Suresh Kumar as the acting head of the ABM, having joined BAM as the building manager last November.
Norza also said that BAM would also work together with the Purple League.
“BAM will acquire a substantial stake in the Purple League. We want all our states to be involved in a league but, rather than creating something new, we’d rather work with a league that has established itself,” said Norza.