KUALA LUMPUR: Could there be more woes for the BA of Malaysia (BAM) ahead of their preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
It was brought to light recently that one of the national body's main sponsors Victor, is not pleased with the lack of results from the national squad, especially after a brilliant year in 2016, when Malaysia won three silver medals at the Rio Olympic Games.
In March, 2015, Victor signed a six-year contract with BAM worth RM60 million.
The other major sponsor is Celcom Axiata with a RM34 million deal which expires in August next year.
It is understood that Victor is extremely concerned, especially after the national squad returned home from the Indonesia Asian Games last August empty-handed for the first time in 32 years.
The final straw, however, is said to be when four top shuttlers - Goh V Shem, Tan Wee Kiong, Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying - decided to quit the national team in December, last year.
These four shuttlers, who are all Olympic silver medallists, were seen as the more prominent figures to bring in commercial value for Victor.
Several sources close to the BAM have expressed their concerns, fearing this could result in a sponsorship reduction, with two years remaining.
If this happens, it will not bode well for BAM who, like other local sports associations, are expected to face funding reduction from the National Sports Council (NSC).
And the ones who will feel the pinch the most are BAM’s staff, coaches and most importantly, players.
BAM have taken measures to cut costs, which include reducing the size of the national squad, as well as releasing several coaches.
But is the move enough?
BAM are not alone in this situation. It is learnt that the Korea and Denmark BAs are also facing similar problems.
Will this be one of the key talking points at the BAM Council meeting today at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, where the Malaysia Masters is being held?
In fact, at the Coaching & Training Committee meeting yesterday, chairman Datuk Ng Chin Chai confirmed that due to financial constraints, the coaches will have to review their 2019 competition plans for the players.