Players’ welfare needs a re-look if BAM want to retain the best
News 9:41 AM
THE BA of Malaysia (BAM), in an unprecedented move, slapped former back-up shuttler Tan Chun Seang with a two-year ban from international tournaments when he walked out on the national team two weeks ago.
Did the national body do the right thing?
There are two schools of thought here.
One group say BAM did the right thing. After all, the national body had spent a lot of time, money and resources to groom and mould him from a young age. This group praised the BAM for having the gall to protect their own interests.
The other saw it as a beginning of a Draconian rule.
They may have a point.
Is BAM the best place for all players – back-up, elite back-up and elite – to be in? Or is BAM giving special attention to only the elite shuttlers?
Men’s singles world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei may be hitting the RM1mil mark in annual income but what about all the back-up shuttlers waiting in the wings?
Believe it or not, an ordinary back-up shuttler only draws RM500 a month – a sum that is less than what some maids get these days.
Even a reserve player in a state football team takes home RM2,000 a month.
Chung Seang’s decision to walk away had nothing to do with the standard of coaching in the national body or his lack of passion for the game. It was because of his difficulty in making ends meet.
The 22-year-old was struggling to survive on the RM1,300-monthly allowance which he was getting as an elite back-up shuttler.
There are monthly car instalments, handphone bills and family commitments.
So, can we blame him for jumping ship the moment he finds out that he can make much more by playing elsewhere?
Even club and independent international players seem to be making a lot of money. Just look at former internationals Wong Choong Hann, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng and Tan Bin Shen-Gan Teik Chai.
By being a free agent, they can do what a national shuttler cannot do – get as many sponsors they want and even do private coaching. On top of that, they get to compete in many tournaments.
The BAM will have to do some re-branding to improve their status as the home for the ‘best of the best’ in the county.
Their structure and programmes must be far better than those offered by clubs and states, and they must also make it appealing enough that no aspiring youngster will be tempted to leave.
If the BAM cannot give the shuttlers more than what is on offer outside, then, they should not stop the players from finding greener pasture.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:41 AM.
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