Norza promises a foundation

NEW BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria immediate course of action will be to set up the National Badminton Foundation.

Norza, who officially assumed the position at BAM’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Subang Jaya yesterday, said the foundation will consist of corporate figures and former badminton greats.

The core focus of the foundation will be to provide funding for the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), and future academies that are in the pipeline.

The proposed foundation will also offer scholarships to young players who have the potential to excel academically.

Norza — who stepped down as the Kuala Lumpur BA (KLBA) president and National Sports Institute (NSI) chairman — added that BAM will discuss with the Sports Ministry to take full control of the shuttlers at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).

“At the moment, we have got the courts and offices ready, and our target is to have everything completed at the ABM by next January.

“Our idea is to have the form four and form five students first and then bring over the form one-form three students.

“Our goal is to have close to 130 shuttlers under one roof. In the next five years, our target is to set up four more academies across Malaysia,” said Norza, who will be replaced by fellow council member Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos as the acting president of KLBA till 2018.

Other plans by Norza, who is also the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) deputy president, is to start a professional badminton league and upgrade coaching & training (C&T) committee by introducing sports science and technology to introduce a high performance culture among players and officials.