Contracts delayed, BAM risk exodus
Author: New Straits Times
Date: 10 Feb 2007
Category: World News
THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) may face an exodus of coaches as well as
players if the National Sports Council (NSC) shows no urgency in
offering new contracts.
BAM has already lost Li Mao to the South Korea BA which duly signed the out-of-contract coach from China.
And there are fears that even the top players may leave BAM due to
the delay in offering them contracts as they are in the dark over the
terms and conditions of their new contracts.
The Sports Ministry is in the midst of restructuring the NSC, a
process which is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
NSC director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz has briefed
national associations on the issue and explained that it was up to the
respective national bodies to inform their athletes and coaches if
their services were still needed. New contracts will be offered once
the restructuring of the NSC is completed.
Players, who have left the national team, are known to be eager to
join the Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club (KLRC), and the grapevine has it
that the club is recruiting current national shuttlers.
It is believed that Lee Chong Wei and Hafiz Hashim are among those
eyed by KLRC, but KLRC chairman Datuk Andrew Kam has denied making any
offers to BAM's top two shuttlers.
Kam said any national player who wishes to join his club must
first get approval from BAM, but he added that there are no
restrictions on them joining KLRC.
"If they (national players) want to come on their own accord, they
are welcome. However, I've always told any interested player to get the
greenlight from BAM first before talking to me.
"Players like Chong Wei and Hafiz are doing well in the national
team, and I don't see any reasons why they would consider leaving BAM.
"KLRC has been helping players who left the national squad but
still have the potential to become world class players. For example,
Lee Tsuen Seng and Sairul (Amar Ayob) have been doing well."
BAM secretary P. Ganga Rao said the players and the coaches should
remain patient and not make any drastic moves until the new salary
structure and contracts are finalised by NSC.
He said the BAM does not stop national dropouts from joining
clubs, but it is not the same for national shuttlers who are bound by
agreement with NSC and sponsors.
"Li Mao's departure is just a one-off issue, and I don't expect it
to have a chain reaction. The players have to be prepared to face the
consequences if they decide to leave BAM," said Ganga.
"If the national shuttlers decide to leave, they may not be
considered for any major events even if they are the best in the
country."
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Sunday/Sport/20070204121135/Article/index_html
