KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is now officially the new Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president.
He holds the number one seat after being unanimously elected unopposed at the election in conjunction with the 80th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the national badminton governing body today.
Tengku Zafrul, grateful for the mandate and trust given by BAM council members, described it as a great trust and honour that he will shoulder with complete dedication to empower the association to become a locally and internationally respected entity.
“For me, this is a great honour, and I will shoulder this trust with full responsibility, dedication, and determination to see the national badminton sport continue to excel on the world stage.
“I will use my outside experience in the private sector and also the government to ensure that BAM management continues to be strengthened and BAM becomes a sports institution that serves as an example not only in Malaysia but also internationally,” he said during a press conference.
Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul requested 100 days to obtain views from stakeholders, players, coaching staff and sponsors before formulating a strategic and effective plan for developing the national badminton sport.
He needed the time to understand and examine the proposals or issues plaguing the national badminton sport because he believed this approach was the key to building a comprehensive and realistic plan for the sport.
"After the 100-day period, InsyaAllah, I will present my strategic vision and comprehensive action plan together with our team," Tengku Zafrul said.
Despite being aware of the burden and high expectations placed on badminton by Malaysian sports fans, he is ready to take on the challenge, including trying to achieve the country's first gold medal at the Olympic Games.
"I am a man who is up for a challenge, and I feel that this is a challenge that if we plan properly and execute properly, it is a challenge that we can take and succeed," he said.
Tengku Zafrul, who is the 13th president of BAM, also announced that former acting president of BAM Datuk V. Subramaniam has been reappointed as deputy president 1 while Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos will remain as deputy president 2.
He also took the opportunity to express appreciation for the services and contributions of former president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, who successfully laid an important foundation for BAM to continue moving forward.
Tengku Zafrul also called for the strong support of all stakeholders, including sports fans in the country, to be given to him and the BAM leadership in their efforts to achieve greater success in the future.
In March, Subramaniam announced that most BAM council members reached a consensus to nominate Tengku Zafrul as the new president.
Early last year, he was almost appointed as BAM president to replace Norza, who initially planned to resign.
However, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh asked Norza to reconsider his decision and remain in the position until the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
After Paris 2024 ended, BAM appointed Subramaniam as acting president until the AGM today.
— Bernama
