MORE TOURNAMENTS NEEDED
BAM to come up with solutions to keep shuttlers fit
THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) may have to organise more than just a couple of internal tournaments to ensure all players remain competitive for the start of a new season next year.
Following the postponement of the World Tour’s Asian leg to next year, the BAM are expected to hold a series of meetings this week before finalising their plan for the remainder of the year.
The BAM have organised two internal tournaments (Invitational Championships and President's Cup) so far to keep their players competitive since the suspension of the season in March.
Initially, the tournaments were hosted to prepare the players for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Denmark before it was postponed to next year.
While the Denmark Open will be held on Oct 13-18, the Denmark Masters (on Oct 20-25) has been cancelled.
“I understand the frustration. Our players were so excited for the Thomas and Uber Cups, then it got postponed.
“They shifted their focus towards the Asian leg in November and now even that is not happening.
“I will be meeting the coaches this week to see what we can do to make sure our players stay fit and competitive.
“We will look at organising either internal or local tournaments,” said BAM coaching director Wong Choong Hann.
It is understood that the BAM will get the ball rolling with a junior tournament next month.
On whether the BAM were in talks with their fellow Asian counterparts on the possibility of a friendly invitational championship, Choong Hann added: “Theoretically, it is possible, but I don't think it will happen.
“I think, for now, we are all working hard to keep the players motivated. It's tough, but we have to move forward.”