Back Our Shuttlers, Don't Write Them Off Before Asian Games - Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz has called for the national shuttlers to be given the opportunity to prove themselves at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 instead of being written off even before the competition begins.

He said this in a reply to an Instagram post by a local newspaper, responding to former national coaching director Datuk Misbun Sidek’s assessment that Malaysia’s shuttlers would head to the Games as mere participants rather than genuine gold medal contenders.

While acknowledging Misbun's immense contribution to Malaysian badminton, Tengku Zafrul said the priority now should be to rally behind the players as they prepare to carry the country's challenge at the continental showpiece.

“I respect Coach Misbun and everything he has contributed to Malaysian badminton. But this is the time to back our players, not write them off before the competition even begins.

“Let them focus, compete and give their best for Malaysia,” he said.

For the record, Malaysia last won an Asian Games badminton gold medal through men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong at the 2006 edition in Doha, Qatar.

Malaysia will begin their campaign in the men’s team event this Sunday, while the individual events are scheduled to get underway on Sept 25.

-- BERNAMA