Malaysia S Badminton Crisis Time For A Hard Reset

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From Johnson Fernandez
Malaysia’s performance at the All England Open has once again raised serious concerns about the state of badminton in the country.
Despite millions in funding and the backing of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), the country’s top shuttlers failed miserably, falling short against more assertive and determined opponents.
This raises a crucial question: is BAM investing in the right players, or is it time for a drastic overhaul of the system?
Millions spent but nothing to show
It has been reported that BAM spends nearly RM5 million annually on just two elite doubles pairs: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles) and Pearly Tan-M Thinaah (women’s doubles).
That’s a staggering amount, especially when their recent results have been far from convincing.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, despite their world championship win in 2022, have struggled with inconsistency and mental fragility. They often enter tournaments as medal contenders but fail to deliver when it matters most.
Pearly-Thinaah have shown promise but lack the resilience and consistency to compete with the world’s best. While injuries have played a role in their struggles, their performances suggest that they have been overprotected rather than pushed to reach their full potential.
This raises a more significant issue — are these players too comfortable under BAM’s umbrella?
BAM’s overprotective culture
One of BAM’s biggest problems is its overprotective approach towards its top players. Unlike independent shuttlers who have to secure their own sponsorships, fund their tournaments, and fight for every opportunity, BAM players enjoy financial security.
While this setup allows them to train without distractions, it also reduces accountability. If a player knows they will receive funding regardless of their performance, where is the incentive to push harder?
Compare this with countries like Indonesia, China, and Japan, where the pressure to perform is constant, and players must earn their place through results — not reputation.
This is particularly evident in how Pearly-Thinaah have been managed. Protected by BAM and mollycoddled by netizens while the Malaysian media are quick to run excuses for them — they have been given too much support without being forced to deliver results.
They have talent, but in elite sports, talent alone is not enough. It must be backed by hunger, grit, and an unrelenting drive to win. Not the illusion of hope.
2028 Olympics, a false hope?
BAM continues to pin its long-term hopes on Aaron-Wooi Yik and Pearly-Thinaah for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. But let’s be realistic, they already look washed out at this stage.
By 2028, they will be three years older, while younger and stronger pairs will be filtering through the international badminton system.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will be 30 and 31, respectively, in 2028. Pearly-Thinaah will be 29 and 30, respectively. They would be very prone to injuries and longer recovery periods. That’s the reality. Their ship has sailed.
The current badminton landscape is evolving rapidly — new players from China, Korea, Japan, and even Europe are emerging as serious contenders.
There is no evidence that these Malaysian pairs will improve significantly between now and 2028. If anything, their decline has already begun.
Instead of clinging on to fading stars, BAM must invest in younger talent and prepare a new generation for the next Olympic cycle. The longer they hold on to underperforming players, the further Malaysia will fall behind.
Time to invest in the future
Instead of pouring millions into players who are not delivering, BAM should refocus its resources on the next generation. There are several key areas where Malaysian badminton needs a serious shake-up.
Invest in younger talent – The pipeline of young players needs to be strengthened. BAM must ensure that Malaysia produces the next Lee Chong Wei, but one who actually wins titles that matter, like the Olympics gold and world championship, rather than relying on past-their-prime players who have already peaked.
Strengthen domestic leagues – Countries like Indonesia and China have strong internal competitions that prepare their players for the world stage. Malaysia’s domestic league needs more investment to provide a competitive breeding ground for future champions.
Allow struggling elite players to turn professional – The best thing for Aaron-Wooi Yik and Pearly-Thinaah might be to leave BAM and go independent. This would force them to be more accountable for their progress, as they would have to secure their own funding and tournament entries.
Time to cut underperformers loose?
It may sound harsh, but BAM must stop rewarding mediocrity. If players are consistently failing at the highest level despite significant financial support, they should be cut loose.
Aaron-Wooi Yik and Pearly-Thinaah should be given a choice:
either prove they can compete at the highest level within a fixed timeframe, or leave BAM and fend for themselves as independent professionals.
This approach has worked for many players in the past. Lee Zii Jia, for example, left BAM to become a professional, and while his results have been mixed, he has taken full ownership of his career.
Players need to feel the pressure of survival rather than being protected by an organisation that shields them from the harsh realities of professional sports.
BAM needs a hard reset
Malaysia is a proud badminton nation, but the current system is failing. BAM’s talent management strategy is flawed, and its investment decisions need to be reassessed.
Hoping that Aaron-Wooi Yik and Pearly-Thinaah will suddenly transform into world-beaters by 2028 is wishful thinking.
BAM must act now or risk another Olympic cycle of disappointment while the rest of the world moves ahead. - FMT
Johnson Fernandez is a former sports editor and an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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