Latest news with #BadmintonAssociationofMalaysia
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘Better to stay with BAM', Chong Ming tells Pearly-Thinaah
'IT'S better to stay with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) than to turn professional' and that was the advice from former national shuttler Chan Chong Ming to nationl top women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, who are currently considering their future with the national body. The former men's doubles player believes that remaining with BAM offers the duo significant advantages, particularly in terms of support services that independent players often lack. 'I think Pearly-Thinaah should stay (with BAM). If you stay with the association, you don't need to worry how to book air tickets, accommodation and injury issues as you have a support team,' he told reporters when met at the Daikin International Badminton Championship 2025, here, today. Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. Pearly-Thinaah have yet to sign a new contract with BAM following the expiry of their previous deal at the end of last year. Chong Ming, who now runs a badminton academy, said his experience coaching independent players shows that BAM still offers superior physical preparation resources. 'As a coach, we have experience in competition, like tactical, but in terms of strength and conditioning, we (professional coaches) aren't there yet (top level),' he said. While encouraging Pearly-Thinaah to focus on their current tournaments, Hannah hoped that the world number four pair to consider the benefits and long term commitments of staying within the national setup under the BAM. She cited the notable progress of national men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik as an example of what structured support within BAM can provide. Aaron-Wooi Yik are in a sensational form, having won three titles since last April namely Badminton Asia Championships 2025, Thailand Open 2025 last month and Singapore Open 2025, last Sunday. In the meantime, Hannah, who was delighted with Aaron-Wooi Yik's recent performance, hopes the two-times Olympic Games bronze medallists can maintain their consistency under the tutelage of national men's doubles head coach, Herry Iman Pierngadi, who took up the role last February.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Chong Ming believes Pearly-Thinaah will be better off with BAM
National women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah in action against China's Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian in the semi-final match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Saturday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: The future of national women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) remains up in the air, but former coach Chan Chong Ming has urged the duo to think twice before parting ways with the national body. Chong Ming, a former world No. 1 in the men's doubles, served as the head coach of the women's doubles squad in 2020 and was instrumental in guiding Pearly-Thinaah to their breakthrough title at the 2021 Swiss Open, their first on the BWF World Tour. He feels the pair should not make a hasty decision to turn professional, as they could face significant challenges on their own particularly in terms of access to the sports science support system currently available at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara. Chong Ming pointed out that a lack of specialised expertise in sports science is one of the biggest hurdles for independent players, especially with Pearly's long history of injuries. 'As coaches, we may have the technical and tactical knowledge of the game, but when it comes to strength and conditioning, our expertise is still limited,' said Choon Ming after the closing ceremony of the Daikin Badminton Championship in Kota Damansara yesterday. 'These areas should be handled by professionals like physiologists. We can manage many things, but for these specialised matters, we need expert support. I believe the Youth and Sports Ministry could also step in to assist. For the record, Pearly suffered a left knee injury during the 2022 Japan Open, which forced her to be carried off the court in a wheelchair. A year later, she also sustained a back injury while competing at the Hangzhou Asian Games in October. Moreover, at the All-England Championships held last March, Pearly experienced a left ankle injury while attempting a drop shot but continued playing after receiving treatment. Pearly-Thinaah's contract expired last December, and negotiations are still ongoing. However, on BAM's side, deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam has made it clear that they will not budge on the salary package already offered to the world No. 4 pair.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Bad line calls fuel Aaron-Khai Xing's fire for first World Tour title
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing have put last week's umpiring controversy at the Malaysia Masters behind them as they refocus on chasing their maiden World Tour title. The world No. 53 were left frustrated by three poor line calls from Swiss umpire Peter Meszaros during their narrow second-round defeat to Denmark's world No. 16 Rasmus Kjaer- Frederik Sogaard (21-10, 24-26, 21-16) at Axiata Arena. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has since lodged an official complaint with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) over the standard of officiating. "We were quite frustrated after the incident, but we got over it within a day," said Khai Xing. "The whole episode has actually made us mentally stronger. If it happens again, we'll be ready." The pair, who are reigning world junior champions, are now turning their attention to improving their performances and hope to land at least a Super 300 title this season. Khai Xing added that national coach Herry IP has been pushing him to develop more power and consistency from the baseline. "The coaches want me to be more lethal from the backcourt. I've got to add more sting to my attacking game." He also admitted that starting slow has been a recurring issue for the pair. "We often take time to settle into matches - that's something we really need to fix to achieve better results." Aaron-Khai Xing are preparing for the Macau Open on July 29-Aug 3, followed by the Hong Kong Open (Sept 9-14) and Korea Open (Sept 23-28). The pair are aiming to crack the world's top 32, which would open the door to play in the elite Super 750 and Super 1000 events.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Sze Fei-Izzuddin stand as world No. 1 with smooth win in Singapore
PETALING JAYA: Nearly a year after reuniting, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have reached the pinnacle as the world No. 1 men's doubles pair. Their debut match as the top-ranked pair went smoothly, defeating Taiwan's Lee Fang-chih and Lee Fang-jen 21-13, 21-11 in the Singapore Open's opening round on Wednesday (May 28). While many players struggled with the strong drift at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Sze Fei and Izzuddin adapted well and maintained control throughout the 32-minute match. They will face compatriots Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King in the second round. "Our strategy worked well, and our preparation was on point," Izzuddin said in a BWF interview. "Our main focus is to play our best and not let anything interfere. We just want to enjoy the match," he added. Sze Fei and Izzuddin separated in January 2023 due to personal differences but reunited on May 31st last year to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Although they missed out on that goal, they quickly found success by winning the US Open and have continued to build momentum. Their decision to leave the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) did not slow them down. They went on to win six more titles, including the Indian Open earlier this year. "We've always enjoyed the process because we believe in it," said Sze Fei. "We are grateful to our team and sponsors who have supported us all the way. The world No. 1 ranking is something we dedicate to the entire country," he added. They view the progress of the national men's doubles department positively, with Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik currently ranked fourth and Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun sitting in seventh. "Now we have three strong pairs. This is a very good sign for the men's doubles team. No matter who is on court, we are all fighting for Malaysia and for the flag," he added.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
There's a spring in Rexy's steps these days, thanks to our doubles shuttlers
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky with new BAM singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen during the press conference at Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star PETALING JAYA: After seeing his shuttlers struggle for a breakthrough at home for years, doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky ( pic ) can finally afford to smile. As Rexy watched on, men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun defeated teammates Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to capture the Malaysian Masters title at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Sunday. The victory was a huge breakthrough for Malaysia as it ended a 12-year wait for a men's doubles title in the competition since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah's triumph in 2013. V Shem-Khim Wah also had been the last Malaysians to win a men's doubles title on home soil after they won the Malaysian Open in 2014. Wei Chong-Kai Wun did come the closest to ending the drought in the 2023 Malaysian Masters but were denied by South Korea's Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae in the final. This time, there was no stopping the pair as they made amends in front of the passionate home fans. World No. 8 Wei Chong-Kai Wun's title win followed the success of mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, who ended a seven year-wait for a Malaysian winner in the home Masters last year. Before Soon Huat-Shevon's breakthrough, 2017 winners Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were the last Malaysians to capture the Masters crown while 2018 Malaysian Open champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei (men's singles) was the last to win at home. Rexy was happy to see his charges triumph after overseeing years of disappointments. 'I know before this, many have been disappointed as we had no winners in the home tournament,' said Rexy. 'This time, there was an all-Malaysian men's doubles final after 12 years, so this is something positive. 'I can see many changes in our pairs. Previously, they were relying more on strength and speed but now they can adapt their game to different situations on court. 'Our players are getting better at controlling their emotions and placing the shuttle. 'We can't be too satisfied though as we need to make sure our players stay confident moving forward,' added Rexy.
