Norza hopeful that BATC will herald return of competitions

BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria hopes the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC), which starts today in Shah Alam, will pave the way for the return of more major competitions in Malaysia.

Norza said the hosting of BATC is “monumental” for Malaysia in the pandemic era.

The event will be held at the Setia City Convention Centre and ends on Sunday.

The BATC is the first international badminton competition in Malaysia since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, which saw BAM’s flagship Malaysian Open called off twice.

“We are very happy that the Selangor BA have taken the opportunity to help with the development of the sport here by working together with BAM and Badminton

Asia to host the BATC,” said Norza yesterday.

“This is the big one... a monumental (tournament) for us since the pandemic broke out.

“Hosting this competition will, hopefully, help us to start organising more international tournaments such as the Malaysian Open and so on once again in the future.

“Of course, we will be learning from the BATC experience as every country has a different way of looking at Covid-19 standard operating procedures.

“We will continuously strive for improvements. Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of the players and officials.”

Norza has a clear view of what he expects from the national squad at the BATC.

“I think everyone wants us to do well in the tournament,” added Norza.

“We are sending our first team to the competition, and our hope is that they at least reach the final.”

All England champion Lee Zii Jia, who recently turned professional, has returned to train with the national squad and is expected to spearhead Malaysia’s campaign at the BATC.