If the Badminton Association of Malaysia does not strictly enforce the relevant regulations, the exodus of top players from the national team may continue

Malaysian badminton legend Rassi recently said that if the Malaysian Badminton Association does not strictly enforce the relevant regulations, the situation of top badminton players leaving the national team will continue.

Lassi said he was not opposed to the Malaysian national badminton team players turning professional, but also pointed out that the association still needs to rely on these national badminton players to attract sponsors, and sponsorship funds are crucial for talent development programs. Bo's high-profile "exodus" began with former All England champion Li Zijia's withdrawal from the national team in 2022. At that time, the Badminton Association decided to ban Zijia, but after causing a strong public backlash, the ban was eventually withdrawn.

Lassi pointed out that the "softness" of the Badminton Association at that time gave players the idea that as long as they wanted to leave the national team, they could leave the national team at any time. The world's No. 2 men's doubles "Feiting Pair" Wu Shifei and No. Neu Zuting left the national team in September last year; The current world No. 4 women's doubles "Letty Pair" Chen Kangle and Tina are still negotiating contracts with the Badminton Association, and if they do not get the salary and benefits they demand, they may also leave the national team.

Chen Kangle (left) and Tina are still in contract negotiations with the BWF, and if they do not receive the salary and benefits they demand, they may also leave the national team

He said that the appointment of the new chairman is a good opportunity to reorganize the regulations. With Tengku Saifrul officially succeeding Tan Sri Nosa as the new president of the Badminton Association last Saturday, Rasi believes it is a good opportunity for the association to restructure its rules and start anew. "I'm not against players developing independently, but it's too easy to leave the BWF now because I don't think there's any provision in the BWF that would effectively prevent players from leaving," Lassi said. The Feather Association may have become too lenient after the Zijia incident. ”