KUALA LUMPUR – Solidarity among Asian countries is crucial for badminton’s future with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) presidential election scheduled for the end of April next year, with nominations open until the first week of next month.
While nothing is confirmed, two prominent Asian candidates have emerged: Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul from Thailand and Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria from Malaysia.
Both Khunying and Norza are well-established figures in badminton, bringing decades of experience in sports administration. Khunying currently serves as the BWF’s deputy president while Norza is the honorary president of Badminton Asia.
At the same time, both are also members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Speaking to Scoop, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) acting president Datuk V. Subramaniam said that it is important for Asian countries to unite to see reforms in the badminton world.
“I can speak on behalf of Tan Sri Norza because I have worked closely with him and witnessed firsthand the changes he has driven in badminton, particularly during his time as BAM president,” said Subramaniam.
“He is someone who prioritises the institution above all else, a highly respected figure not only in badminton but across the sports world.
“If we aim for an Asian president, then yes, I believe we should stand together, not compete against each other,” he added.
Since 2013, the BWF has been led by Poul Erik Hoyer, the 1992 Olympic gold medallist. However, the 59-year-old Dane has confirmed he will not seek re-election due to declining health.
With two strong candidates from Asia now front-runners for the world badminton top post, it would be counterproductive for them to compete against each other. Instead, unity could return the BWF presidency to the region.
Historically, since the BWF’s establishment in 1934 (then known as the International Badminton Federation), only four of 19 presidents have been Asians.
It is understood that if an Asian candidate assumes the BWF presidency next year, badminton’s position within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be strengthened.
This would also bring a focus on meaningful reforms rather than on superficial initiatives like Air Badminton or the relay point scoring system, which was recently introduced at the World Junior Championships. – November 5, 2024