BAM Mulling Special Incentive For Asiad 2026 Gold Medallist

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will consider providing a special incentive for any shuttler who wins the gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which will be held from Sept 19-Oct 4.

Its president, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, said this was part of its efforts to motivate the shuttlers to give their best on the Asiad stage.

"There are only a few days left before the Games begin. We've been waiting for the badminton gold medal for 20 years. BAM will consider a special incentive should our shuttlers bring home the gold medal from Aichi-Nagoya.

"We need to do what is necessary to give our players the best chance to succeed,” he said in a statement uploaded to Facebook today.

Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said BAM would also increase cash prizes by 100 per cent for all national championships starting next year, including junior tournaments, to provide a bigger incentive for the shuttlers and make the domestic meets more competitive.

"With prize money doubled, they must also be doubly determined… We are also looking for a full-time director of Sports Science and Medicine so that players will receive more comprehensive support, from performance and rehabilitation to healthcare.

"As for talent development, shuttlers aged 16 and above who are eligible to play in singles and doubles will now need to choose either one so that they will be able to focus fully on it. At the same time, more opportunities can be opened to other shuttlers,” he said.

Men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong were the last Malaysians to win the badminton gold medal at the 2006 edition of the Asian Games in Doha. At the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik returned home with the bronze medal.

With badminton among the sports expected to deliver medals, Malaysia are targeting six golds, seven silvers and 20 bronzes  at Asiad 2026.

-- BERNAMA