Caution’s the name of the game for BAM when season resumes.
BaM to limit national shuttlers’ overseas tourneys when season resumes
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will take no chances with the health and well-being of their shuttlers.
BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said they will play it safe by limiting the national team’s overseas assignments when the season resumes in September.
A revamped calendar released by the Badminton World Federation on May 22 saw a host of tournaments, including 16 World Tour legs and the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, lined up for each week until the end of the year.
But these tournaments are subject to change, pending the latest Covid-19 situation.
Even if they get the go-ahead, Norza said the shuttlers are not expected to feature in most of them.
“We still need to be cautious and plan well,” said Norza. “We have to be very selective when it comes to sending our players abroad.
“The players’ and coaches’ health and safety remain our priority.”
Another main concern will be the cost. Travel expenses will escalate in the event the government of the host nation grants no exemption on the two-week quarantine ruling.
And Norza sees no point in BAM digging into their coffers to send players to tournaments that offer no qualification points for the Tokyo Olympics.
The suspended Olympic qualifying process will only restart in January next year.
“Although we may want to send our players to play in five to 10 events, we also need to look at the resources we have,” stressed Norza.
“During these unprecedented times, we must get our priorities right. Our most important agendas are the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals (in Denmark from Oct 3-11) and next year’s Olympics qualification.
“It’s better for us to save up so that we have enough to go full force for the Olympics qualifiers.”
The earliest assignment for the national team would most likely be the Taiwan Open from Sept 1-6.
The condensed schedule over the next seven weeks also comprise the Korean Open (Sept 8-13), China Open (Sept 15-20), Japan Open (Sept 22-27), Thomas and Uber Cup Finals (Oct 3-11), Denmark Open (Oct 13-18) and French Open (Oct 20-25).