KUALA LUMPUR – Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria’s decision to stay on in the top post was to ensure that there will be no disruption in the administration.
Norza said that he does not want any disruption with the 2024 Paris Olympics just six months away.
Earlier this year, Norza had announced the Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as his successor.
However, Norza reconsidered leaving his position after Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh asked him to stay on last week.
Norza, who is also the Olympic Council of Malaysia president, said it will take time for Zafrul to understand the whole process of administering the national body, and that is why he chose to stay on as president at the minister’s request.
“He will not be able to do it in just a few months – he has to go to the states and meet all 15 council members. Some of the council members know him, but some don’t. He will need to go down to the ground and introduce himself to them.
“That will take time, so what is important is that we need to ensure there is no disruption to the whole administration of BAM,” he said at a press conference after BAM’s fourth council meeting for the year 2023 here today.
Norza added that staying on is part of his service to the nation and he won’t pay attention to any negative reaction to his U-turn.
“As an organisation, we are used to being criticised by everyone, this is part of our national service, and we are doing this on a pro bono basis as volunteers.
“Of course, now and then there will be big issues that come up, and we will be criticised by unhappy stakeholders, but that is part and parcel of taking this post.
“But when the minister made the request, it meant that we need to do good for the country. It will invite disapproval, but we just have to do what is right for the organisation.
“The mandate was given unanimously, and I will just do my best to follow the processes. If there are parties that are unhappy with certain things, they can voice their gripes, and we will try our best to please them,” he added. – November 16, 2023