KUALA LUMPUR – The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has initiated a comprehensive plan called the ‘National Baseline Physical Testing,’ where high-performance data from elite players will be shared with the respective state affiliates to nurture the next generation of players.
This includes data on the top shuttlers’ reflexes, body conditioning, broad jumps, smashes, and footwork, which state junior players can use as a reference to transition into national-level players.
For the record, countries such as Japan, India, and Denmark have already begun sharing the high-performance data of their senior shuttlers with junior players to help them rise through the ranks.
Speaking to Scoop, BAM administrative director Michelle Chai said that the affiliates are well-equipped with coaches capable of understanding and applying the data to junior-level players in the coming months.
“From BAM’s perspective, yes, we have recently started sharing our players’ performance data with the state badminton associations under the National Baseline Physical Testing module. This is a comprehensive data module that also includes some of the latest sports science technology insights.
“In our performance data, we share a lot of guidelines that are easy for junior coaches to comprehend and implement with their players. Efforts have already been made by BAM, and there are possibilities of making the data even better in the months to come, so we can build more talent from the states.
“BAM aims to develop more players as part of its vision, mission, and objectives, working closely with state affiliates to cultivate additional backup players through strong collaboration between national and state coaches.
“The concept of junior development is centred around encouraging kids to play sports, as sports science research shows this is beneficial.
“Initiatives like sharing data play a key role in smoothing the transition for young players, helping us build a strong foundation at the state level that will ultimately benefit the national ecosystem,” Michelle told Scoop when met at Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
It was reported that former ABM high-performance director Dr Tim Jones was the first to introduce a data-driven system in 2022 to enhance the quality of national shuttlers, reviewing players every three months through a system that tracks all their performance data.
At the same time, Michelle added that the governing body is planning to invite several state coaches to ABM to learn techniques implemented by coaching director Rexy Mainaky, enabling them to apply these methods with their state players.
“We are trying to invite several state coaches here for two weeks to be part of the national coaching and training programme. We are currently in the process of obtaining approval for it, and it’s in the pipeline.
“For each state, we will invite two coaches, and it will be done periodically as we cannot accommodate all coaches at one time.
“The goal behind this initiative is for state coaches to experience the national-level training centre and take what they’ve learned back to their states,” Michelle added. — January 24, 2025