Latest news with #Norza
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Norza wants Malaysian shuttlers to make the LA 'quantum leap'
KUALA LUMPUR: It's no longer just about Malaysian shuttlers making the world's top 10, top 8 or even top 5. Datuk Norza Zakaria, who has just relinquished his BAM president's post after a commendable period, said the country's shuttlers should work towards making the quantum leap to the very top of the Olympic podium. To be in a position to achieve this, Norza said our shuttlers need to be consistently in the world top three rankings. He said those in the elite Road to Gold (RTG) Olympic programme should not just be happy to meet its criteria. Norza, who is the keep-raising-the-bar type, wants more. After all, under his watch, Malaysia won three Olympic badminton bronze medals and a World Championship title. But above all else, he wants to see Malaysia winning an Olympic gold — which has proved to be elusive. However, the "current levels" are not enough; it has to be world's top three. Norza urged Malaysian shuttlers to raise themselves to "top three" standard if they are to have a good chance of winning gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. During Norza's BAM tenure, men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik won two bronzes (2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris) and independent player Lee Zii Jia bagged bronze (2024 Paris). The RTG programme, which provides additional funding and support services for potential Olympic medallists, has set a world top 10 criteria for shuttlers to be part of its programme. "We have to quantum leap ourselves as we don't have time for another four years. If we continue to focus on the bronze medal, we will never achieve our gold target at the 2028 Olympics," said Norza. "This is what I raised at the RTG as we cannot just fulfill the criteria and remain at No. 10 or No. 8. To be potential gold under RTG, they must be in the top three. "For instance, Indonesia won the speed sport climbing because their athlete (Veddriq Leonardo) was ranked No. 1 in his event. "Our shuttlers are probably at No. 5 or No. 6 in the world, but the way forward is to be top three in the world. We should be in that position one or six years before the 2028 Olympics. "To be in the top three, we have to beat China, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia. But until we have built a system to equal these countries in terms of mental and physical strength, we will get stuck at No. 4 or No. 5." Norza said Malaysia need to move towards capturing the Olympic gold with military precision, and this is the challenge for his BAM successor, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz to look into. Malaysia already have world No. 10 Zii Jia in the men's singles, three pairs in the men's doubles — Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (No. 2), Aaron-Wooi Yik (No. 5) and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 7) — and mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai (No. 3) and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (No. 5). However, Norza believes that Malaysia can win more world titles and regain the Thomas Cup under Tengku Zafrul. Aaron-Wooi Yik won Malaysia's first and only world title in 2022 while the nation last won the Thomas Cup in 1992. "During my time, we already secured a world title, but we need to have more world champions from different events. We also have to bring back the Thomas Cup and look for the elusive (Olympic) gold ," added Norza. "The improved administrational strength and systematic high performance programme run by foreign and local coaches should help," said Norza. Malaysian fans will hope that the new BAM boss, Tengku Zafrul, will be able to set the launching pad for our shuttlers to make that quantum leap.
New Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Norza bows out with pride after transforming Malaysian badminton
KUALA LUMPUR: When Tan Sri Norza Zakaria first assumed the presidency of the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in 2017, it was all about one man — former world No. 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei. Eight years on, Norza is proud that BAM is no longer dependent on a single superstar, but has instead become a system capable of producing a steady stream of world-class talent. He believes the transformation was made possible by separating BAM's administration from its high-performance programme at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM). "When I came in, it was all about Chong Wei, but now we've become an institution that keeps producing players — not just one extraordinary performer," said Norza after BAM's annual general meeting (AGM)-cum-elections at ABM on Saturday. "We trusted the process, and it delivered quality soldiers who are now top players. But we need continuity. There's always room for improvement, and that's where we bring in new leadership." Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz was elected unopposed as the new BAM president during the AGM. "I've done my national service. Now it's Tengku Zafrul 's turn to do his part," added Norza. "I stepped down when the time came. I believe no one is bigger than the institution. If I thought otherwise, I would've stayed forever." Though Norza did not achieve his dream of delivering Malaysia's first Olympic gold, he did witness a historic moment when Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik won the nation's first world title in 2022. He believes his successor has what it takes to continue chasing that elusive Olympic gold. During Norza's tenure, BAM developed several top players, including Lee Zii Jia (world No. 10), men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (world No. 2) and mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai (world No. 3) — all of whom turned professional after leaving the national team. Women's doubles world No. 4 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are also among the standout performers under the BAM banner. Norza, who stepped down in September last year, had handpicked Tengku Zafrul as his successor. He believes the 52-year-old Investment, Trade and Industry Minister is an ideal candidate, thanks to his corporate success and strong ties to the government. "We needed someone young, from the corporate world and connected to the government, and Tengku Zafrul fits the bill," said Norza. "Most of our sponsors already know him well." "We've also brought in professional consultants (Pemandu) to identify the gaps between where we are and where we need to be. I've told Tengku Zafrul these reports will help him strengthen BAM. "The separation of BAM as the governing body and ABM as the high-performance centre has been implemented. His job now is to reinforce the blueprint and process towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Kenny not expecting last-minute surprises at BAM election
KUALA LUMPUR: BA of Malaysia (BAM) secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh does not expect any last-minute surprises at the national body's election-cum-Annual General Meeting (AGM) this Saturday. However, Kenny said the BAM constitution allows affiliated members to submit nominations up until the day of the AGM. BAM will elect a new president to succeed Tan Sri Norza Zakaria at the AGM. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has been nominated for the top post, and he has secured majority support from the BAM council. "For now, Tengku Zafrul remains the sole nominee for the president's post, and I don't foresee that changing," Kenny said today. "But in accordance with BAM's constitution, there is no fixed nomination day, so affiliates may submit nominations right up to the day of the AGM. It's difficult to say whether any new candidates will emerge." In January, the media reported that Putrajaya BA president and BAM vice-president Datuk Seri Khairudin Abd Samad had expressed interest in contesting for the presidency. However, there is no official confirmation whether he has formally entered the race. Tengku Zafrul was previously poised to succeed Norza, who had initially intended to step down early last year. However, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had requested Norza to reconsider and remain in office until after the Paris Olympics. Norza subsequently vacated his post following the conclusion of the Olympics, before the end of his original term this year. BAM then appointed Datuk V. Subramaniam as acting president to lead the association until the AGM.
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Norza elected to BWF council for 2025-2029 term
KUALA LUMPUR: BA of Malaysia (BAM) honorary life president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria has been elected as a council member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for the 2025-2029 term. In a statement today (April 26), BAM extended its heartfelt congratulations to Norza, describing his election as a reflection of the global badminton community's recognition of his leadership, vision and longstanding commitment to the sport's growth both in Malaysia and internationally. "BAM, represented at the BWF annual general meeting (AGM) in Xiamen, China, is proud to see Malaysian representation continue at the highest level of world badminton governance," the statement said. BAM also wished the Olympic Council of Malaysia president continued success as he embarks on his new role serving the global badminton fraternity. In November, the 58-year-old corporate figure was named BAM honorary life president after stepping down as president. In another development, Thailand's Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul has been confirmed as the new BWF president. According to a BWF statement, Leeswadtrakul becomes only the second woman to hold the post. She was elected unopposed, succeeding Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen, whose 12-year tenure ended today. Hoyer Larsen was subsequently made BWF honorary life vice president at the AGM.
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Moving away from 'village champion' mentality is also our wish, says Yeoh
KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has made it clear she is on the same page as Tan Sri Norza Zakaria when it comes to selection of sports for the 2027 Malaysia Sea Games. The Youth and Sports Minister said she expects to see Olympic sports making up the majority of events when Malaysia hosts the games, which is expected to be spread across Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Johor Bahru and Penang in 2027. "I have heard the views of Tan Sri Norza who has urged us to avoid having a 'village champion' mentality (when hosting Sea Games) and remain grounded in reality. This is also our wish," said Yeoh today (April 21). "What he said about our medal tally from the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games compared to editions after that has truth to it and is rational. This will all be discussed by the 2027 Sea Games Organising Committee with the National Sports Council (NSC) director-general. "From what I have been told, we have an understanding with Thailand and Singapore (in regards to hosting the Sea Games) where the base of events included (in games held in these three countries) will be from Olympic sports. "Whether we decide to include additional events on top of that depends on whether we have the budget to include them. This is because the 2027 Sea Games will be spread across four cities." Thailand will host this year's Sea Games in December while Singapore is set to host the 2029 edition. Yeoh added that a chief executive officer to oversee preparations for the 2027 Sea Games will be appointed soon. She was speaking during the Youth and Sports Ministry's Hari Raya Open House event at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil today (April 21). Norza, who is the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, recently said Malaysia must shed its "village champion" mentality when hosting the Sea Games. It is common for Sea Games hosts to include many events or sports that are favoured by their athletes, regardless of whether the sports are in the Olympic programme or not. This is to give the host country an advantage in the medal table. Malaysia last hosted the Sea Games in 2017 and became overall champions by a country mile on a 145 gold, 92 silver and 86 bronze haul. The contingent scored more than double the amount of gold won by regional heavyweights Thailand (72-86-88). Vietnam were third on 59-50-60. Malaysia, however, went on to finish fifth overall at the 2019 Manila Sea Games, sixth at the 2021 Hanoi Sea Games and seventh at the 2023 Phnom Penh Sea Games, which was the country's lowest-ever placing in the history of the biennial games.
