ABM plays waiting game with BAM

THE Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) hope the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara will be fully operational by the first quarter of next year.

Currently, only the training hall (with 18 courts), office and meeting rooms are being utilised.

BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, who chaired the executive committee (exco) meeting yesterday, admitted it is a tedious process, but must be done for the development of the sport.

It is understood that contractors will have to rectify a number of defects to the new building before handing over the project to the sports ministry, who will then officially hand it over to BAM.

As for housing the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) students at ABM, Norza explained that it is still in discussion between the sports ministry and the ministry of education (MoE).

“It is definitely ambitious, but it is something we have been wanting to do for a long time,” said Norza.

“I must, however, say it is not as easy as we had expected. It involves tweaking certain policies. For example, we want all 60 students from BJSS to live and train here full time.

“They will need to study here as well, but we do not have a school nearby.

“We are looking at having teachers here, and probably having six core subjects for the students. Now this is where our discussion is with the MoE. At the moment, we don’t have a science lab, so how will a science stream student study here?

“We are looking at being fully operational by the first quarter, even if it means starting in phases. We could probably bring the Form Four and Five students over first.”

Norza added that five coaches will be hired soon for the development squad.

Right now, Kwan Yoke Meng is in charge of the Form Four and Form Five students, while China national Zhou Kejian is the head coach for the Form One to Form Three students at BJSS. Fabian Peter