KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — Only the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president’s post will ‘change hands’ when Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria steps down from the leadership of the parent body.
Confirming the matter, he said all BAM deputies, vice presidents, and council members will remain in their positions until the next BAM election in 2025 to launch the transition process of the association’s leadership.
Following the impending takeover by Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz to lead BAM starting early next year, the association’s leaders will continue their service under the new president because the next BAM election is still far away for the 2021-2025 term.
“All other positions are status quo except for the presidency. Even for 2025, I do not think there will be a lot of changes because, usually, only the top three positions will see a contest; the transition in BAM is always amicable,” he said.
Norza was speaking to the press today after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yayasan Astro Kasih chairman Tun Zaki Azmi for the Astro Badminton Camp next year.
He previously announced that he would leave his position by the end of this year and named Tengku Zafrul his successor.
Elaborating on the power transfer, Norza said the matter will be discussed at the BAM council meeting in January.
“Our next council meeting in December will focus on the Malaysia Open (from January 9 to January 14), so we will look into the transition matters at our January meeting after the Malaysia Open.
“We need to be fair to him (Tengku Zafrul); we have to sort out ourselves in BAM first, then we will brief him properly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Norza believes that through the MoU with Yayasan Astro Kasih, BAM’s involvement in the Astro Badminton Camp will be geared towards unearthing more sports talents.
The talent search programme established 11 years ago has successfully produced 40 players for the national squad so far.
— Bernama
