The Badminton Association of Malaysia needs more than RM55 million a year for player salaries, tournament expenses, and domestic competitions.
THE Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) requires over RM55 million annually to cover its operating expenses.
BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the costs include remuneration for players and coaches, expenses for tournament participation, and organising domestic competitions.
“For now we are okay. To sustain us we need about RM55 million a year but the amount is for now and going forward it will be more,” he said at a press conference.
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He revealed that BAM had spent RM54 million as of November 2025.
The two largest expenses are player and coach remuneration and tournament participation, which account for slightly more than half of the total cost.
Tengku Zafrul acknowledged that BAM needs to strengthen its brand to attract more future sponsorship.
The association’s council meeting also discussed increased support for junior players.
This includes raising their monthly allowances and providing a racket string allowance, totalling RM400,000.
“We will increase it to up to RM1,000 for all the players currently per month,” he said.
The meeting also reviewed the salary rates for local coaches.
On player performance at the ongoing 2026 Malaysia Open, Tengku Zafrul expressed disappointment that some expected to advance further did not succeed.
“In terms of the organisation of the tournament is done very well. I mean if you look at the spectator crowd, there are not many complaints,” he said.
He noted that the country still has one men’s doubles pair, Aaron-Wooi Yik, involved in the semi-finals.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are scheduled to fight for a final slot against Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri.
The 2026 Malaysia Open, which began on Tuesday, concludes tomorrow. – Bernama
