BAM stands by its 'attractive offer' in contract stalemate with Pearly-Thinaah
KUALA LUMPUR: The BAM feels that its offer is 'fair enough" though women's doubles Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah want more in their contract negotiations.
BAM deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam today pointed out that the national body has been paying salaries and world ranking bonuses, and in fact the amount has increased significantly in recent times.
And BAM is said to be one of the handful of nations that allow their players to keep all their prize money. Malaysia's top 10 shuttlers are paid well and others also receive incentives on a smaller scale.
BAM used to give their players or pairs ranked in the world top two a quarterly allowance of RM45,000, but Subramaniam pointed out that the current ranking bonuses are much higher than that.
He said the current remuneration structure offers attractive returns to players besides providing state-of-the-art accommodation and training facilities, and sports science support services at the Academy Badminton Malaysia while covering the full cost of competing in tournaments.
"The top players and others, too, enjoy salaries and world ranking bonuses very much higher than what was provided previously," said Subramaniam.
"Our players get salaries and the top 10 ranked players earn attractive world ranking bonuses. The players also get to take 100 per cent of the prize money compared to other countries where a certain portion is channelled to the national associations.
"We also don't neglect the lower ranked players who get returns based on their achievements, and we even compensate our juniors if they do well in tournaments.
"I don't think any other national associations abroad pay as well as we do, and we don't take even a cent from the players' prize money."
Having said that, Subramaniam assured that the contract stalemate with world No. 4 Pearly-Thinaah will be settled once they return from the Thailand Open which ends this Sunday.
"We will have a final discussion with Pearly-Thinaah when they return from Bangkok, and the decision will be announced immediately after the meeting," said Subramaniam.
Pearly-Thinaah are said to be contemplating turning professional if their "additional demands" are not met, but BAM is standing by their "attractive offer".
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