BAM: Resignation of duo won’t affect sponsorship

PETALING JAYA: The resignation of mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying will not affect the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) sponsorships.

The pair have over 350,000 followers on their various social media accounts and are the main household names for the national team sponsors, Victor.

BAM general manager Michelle Chai said the resignation of Peng Soon-Liu Ying would not pose any problems.

Five other players who have recently resigned are Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin (men’s singles), Lee Zii Yii (women’s singles), Woon Khe Wei, Tan Sueh Jeou and Goh Yea Ching (women’s doubles).

“It’s the same like any other player who has recently resigned,” said Michelle.

“We can’t deny they have contributed a lot to the country. However, as with any other player, there’s always an outside path as independent players and they have chosen that path.”

“They have tendered their resignations and we respect their wishes to try it out as independent players.”

As for the rest of the mixed doubles team, Michelle believes the current situation gives the other pairs like Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and the younger pairs Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See and Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei a chance to prove themselves.

“We still have two senior pairs and two younger pairs and as we have said, we want to place more focus on bringing up the juniors.

“And now, these pairs have the chance to step up and show that they can deliver.”