KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria dropped a ‘bombshell’ today by announcing that he will step down from the post of president at the end of the year.
His decision came as a shock to many, as only last month, he announced the intent to leave the national body after the 2024 Olympic Games.
According to Mohamad Norza, he already has several potential candidates in mind with the potential and capabilities to succeed him.
However, he refused to reveal their identity or the number of potential candidates, only saying he has already submitted the names of potential candidates to the BAM council.
“I have already talked to a few parties. The individuals must be better than me, understand sports well, and passionate enough to accept a non-paying president’s job.
“The person must also work hard towards the fulfilment of the public and badminton fans (expectation),” Mohamad Norzasaid during a press conference earlier today.
He added today’s stepping down announcement was unrelated to the polemic involving the BAM and former Academy Badminton Malaysian junior singles coaching director Datuk Misbun Sidek’s termination of the contract after the National junior squad’s failure at the Asian Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, last month.
Malaysia’s best-ever performance in the Asian junior was in 2018 when Pearly Tan – Toh Ee Wei won a silver medal in the women’s doubles individual competition, and the team won a bronze medal.
— Bernama
