BAM president Norza to step down by year end

 

BAM president Norza Zakaria said his decision to step down was not related to the controversy involving the national body and former Academy Badminton Malaysia junior singles coaching director Misbun Sidek. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Norza Zakaria announced today that he would step down from his post at the national body at the end of the year.

Norza’s decision came as a shock to many since he had only last month announced that he intended to leave BAM after the 2024 Olympic Games.

Norza said he already has a number of potential candidates in mind to replace him, Bernama reported.

However, he refused to reveal their identities or the number of potential candidates but said that he had already submitted their names to the BAM council.

“I have already talked to a few parties. The individual must be better than me, understand sports well, and be passionate enough to accept a non-paying president’s job.

“The person must also work hard towards meeting the expectations of the public and badminton fans,” he said at a press conference.

Norza said his announcement today was not related to the controversy involving BAM and former Academy Badminton Malaysia junior singles coaching director Misbun Sidek following the termination of the latter’s contract.

Misbun’s contract was terminated after the national junior squad’s failure at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, last month.

However, Norza said BAM had retracted its decision and offered Misbun an opportunity to see out his contract which runs until the end of the year.

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Norza said the decision was made by a special committee and it would enable Misbun to guide junior shuttlers who would be competing in the 2023 World Junior Championships in Spokane, Washington, from Sept 25 to Oct 8.

“(However) if he is not interested in the offer, he can meet us and a special task force to settle the issue amicably so that no party will feel persecuted or sidelined,” he said.

Norza also apologised to Misbun on BAM’s behalf, stating that the issue cropped up due to a miscommunication between both parties.

Last Friday, BAM announced Misbun had agreed to part ways with the association but on Monday, the latter claimed that his services were terminated after attending a meeting held by the special committee. - FMT