Zafrul As Bam President Filling Big Shoes Or A Risky Gamble

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Tengku Zafrul Aziz is an unconventional contender as the frontrunner for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) presidency.
His rawness in sports management signals both opportunity and risk.
Proponents are optimistic about his potential to secure financial backing and introduce innovative management practices.
Critics point to the absence of his experience in sports administration as a potential liability that could lead to unforeseen challenges.
Only time will tell whether this bold move will be the catalyst for an improvement in Malaysian badminton, or a misstep in a critical phase of the elite sport’s progress.
The majority of BAM’s council members are confident that Zafrul’s leadership will pay off.
It appears they don’t mind Zafrul coming in as BAM chief in May with financial leverage rather than traditional sporting expertise.
BAM acting president V Subramaniam told Bernama they want a boss who is well-known as a corporate figure, and a minister, “with a lot of experience”, for the 2025-2029 term.
BAM usually works on consensus where the president is elected unopposed, and this trend will continue if Zafrul assumes the post without contest.
“A lot of experience” is an obvious reference to the financial acumen of Zafrul.
He was a former corporate financial man, finance minister, and now investment, trade and industry minister.
BAM believes Zafrul’s background provides him with the opportunity to attract investors and streamline its financial operations.
That might represent a broader shift in how it evaluates leadership.
Zafrul first gained national prominence after his appointment as finance minister in Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration in March 2020. He retained the role in Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s cabinet.
There is a policy barring cabinet ministers from holding positions in national sports associations, but Zafrul received special exemption and endorsement from the prime minister.
He must tender his resignation when his term as senator ends in December this year.
Just what is it about Zafrul that people want him to run the top sports body in Malaysia?
Boardroom over badminton?
BAM’s focus on a candidate’s corporate and political clout indicates that it may be looking to boost its profile and secure strategic partnerships.
However, it also cues potential challenges in addressing hands-on the nuanced demands of sports management and athlete development.
Subramaniam’s statement itself raises several concerns in relation to headship in sports.
Does promoting someone to a leadership role based solely on corporate and political connections, without any sports management expertise, indicate misplaced priorities?
Does his remark suggest that influence and connections are being valued more than actual experience in sports administration?
The Norza factor
The job of the new BAM president will be to push the boat further out to manage an evolution.
BAM may be in a relatively good shape, but this is no ordinary job.
Taking on the mantle from the outgoing leader, Norza Zakaria, is no small feat.
It is going to take nerves of steel and enormous self-confidence.
Norza, a chartered accountant and corporate figure, served as the 12th president of BAM from April 2017 to August 2024 after leading the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association from 2010.
His tenure in BAM was marked by strategic reforms and international successes.
Under his leadership, Malaysia won 36 Badminton World Federation titles.
To nurture talent, he significantly increased the annual allocation to state badminton associations, and established Akademi Badminton Malaysia in 2017.
Those are just some of his achievements that stemmed from his deep understanding of the game, its traditions, and the grassroots movement that has sustained Malaysian badminton for decades.
In his shadow, Zafrul faces the formidable task of proving that leadership in sports isn’t solely defined by financial prowess.
Zafrul’s entry into this challenging arena comes at a critical juncture, with Malaysia experiencing mixed fortunes in world badminton.
His primary task will be to identify and cultivate emerging talent, with the ambitious objective of producing world champions and eventually clinching an Olympic gold medal.
Many think, without a record in sports management, Zafrul may struggle to connect with the sport’s intricate dynamics.
They worry that his vision might lean too heavily on the business side, potentially neglecting the cultivation of talent.
This is a valid concern in a sport where passion, tradition, and technical knowledge have long been the bedrock of success.
Can Zafrul, like Norza, merge his financial skills with a genuine commitment to the development of badminton?
He should strive to be judged not just on balance sheets, but on his capacity to innovate and inspire a generation of athletes.
If he succeeds, his unconventional path could serve as a model for other sports organisations struggling to bridge the gap between business and sports.
The road ahead will be undeniably steep for him. - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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