KUALA LUMPUR — Twenty years after Malaysia last won badminton gold at the Asian Games, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is offering a special incentive to national shuttlers who can finally end the drought at Aichi-Nagoya.
BAM president Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the national governing body would consider the incentive for players who succeed in winning gold at the Asian Games in Japan, which will be held from Sept 19 to Oct 4.
He said BAM would do everything necessary to give the national shuttlers the best possible opportunity to succeed on the continental stage.
“The Asian Games are just days away. We have been waiting 20 years for badminton gold. BAM will consider a special incentive if our players manage to bring home gold from Aichi-Nagoya.
“We will do what is necessary to give our players the best opportunity to succeed,” he said in a statement posted on BAM’s Facebook page today.
Tengku Zafrul also announced that BAM would double the prize money for all national tournaments from next year, including junior competitions, in a move aimed at providing greater incentives for players and making domestic tournaments more competitive.
“Double the prize money means the spirit must also be doubled. We are also looking for a full-time Sports Science and Medicine Director so that our players receive more comprehensive support, from performance and recovery to healthcare,” he said.
On talent development, Tengku Zafrul said players aged 16 and above who qualify for singles and doubles events would now have to choose one pathway and focus fully on it.
He said the approach would also create more opportunities for other players to emerge and develop within the national set-up.
Malaysia’s last badminton gold at the Asian Games came at Doha 2006, when Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong triumphed in the men’s doubles.
The drought continued at Hangzhou 2022, where Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik claimed bronze in the men’s doubles.
Badminton is among the sports identified as having medal potential for Malaysia at Aichi-Nagoya, where the national contingent is targeting six gold, seven silver and 20 bronze medals. – September 14, 2026