BAM picks Ehime as training base ahead of 2020 Olympics
KUALA LUMPUR: I n its new effort to win the elusive Olympics gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo edition, the Badminton Association of Malaysia ( BAM) is collaborating with the Ehime Prefecture in Japan.
The northwest quarter of Shikoku Island wi l l become BAM’s training base in Japan, and Malaysian junior and senior shuttlers are set to undergo training stints there twice a year starting next month.
Prior to the 2020 Olympics, the national elite players are expected to have their final training camp in the Ehime Prefecture Sports Complex.
BAM president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said, the Ehime Prefecture was chosen from a total of 47 prefectures in Japan because it was equipped with sporting, sports science, accommodation facilities and equipment suitable for Malaysian shuttlers.
“We definitely need to find a base for our players in Japan prior to the Olympics. When I went there last December, I was impressed. BAM had also visited a few other Prefectures in Japan, but we found Ehime as the most suitable one and would consider to extend our collaboration beyond the Olympics.
“We also plan to have a junior exchange programme because we have junior players aged between 13 and 18 who could be absorbed
We also plan to have a junior exchange programme. We have junior players aged between 13 and 18 who could be absorbed in the schooling system there.
Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, BAM president
in the schooling system there and they could learn together the way of life of the Japanese community,” he said.
Mohamad Norza disclosed this in a press conference after signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ehime governor Nakamura Tokihiro, who is also the Ehime Badminton Association president, at the National Badminton Academy yesterday.
Commenting on the chances of winning the country’s first ever Olympic gold medal, Mohamad Norza said BAM would work hard to realise the dream of Malaysians.
“We know the elusive gold medal is very much aspired by Malaysians, we will do the necessary preparations.
“But what is most important now is to qualify for the Olympics,” he said.
Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.