Malaysia’s Badminton Association (BAM) is exploring the possibility of offering special financial incentives to players who secure gold medals at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, aiming to end a 20-year gold medal drought in the sport. The nation has not won an Asian Games badminton gold since 2006, when men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong triumphed at the Doha Games.
BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz acknowledged the lengthy gap since the last gold and highlighted that existing incentives from the National Sports Council (NSC) and the government will remain in place. However, BAM is considering additional rewards from its own resources and through discussions with its sponsors to further motivate athletes. “We will look at what we can afford at the time,” Tengku Zafrul said following a BAM Council meeting held at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara.
In a move to boost competitive standards within the country, BAM will also increase prize money for all national badminton tournaments by 100% starting January 2027. This adjustment aims to provide greater motivation and help strengthen Malaysia’s domestic badminton circuit, according to Tengku Zafrul. The council approved the increase as part of a broader strategy to enhance player development and competition quality.
Other key topics addressed during the council meeting included the appointment of a new sports medicine director to support athletes’ health and performance and preparations for the 2027 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which Malaysia will host. Additionally, BAM discussed plans to encourage players aged 16 and above to specialize in a single event to improve focus and competitive outcomes.
These initiatives reflect BAM’s efforts to elevate Malaysia’s badminton program and foster a stronger pipeline of talent as the country seeks to reclaim its stature in Asian badminton competitions.