Shuttlers need to show results first before making big demands, says Chong Wei

PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers need to prove themselves before making big demands.

Badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei understands that national shuttlers want to earn their worth in monetary payments, but it should only be done if their results were there to back it up.

“I’m not saying that our players can’t be asking for much in their contracts, they can. But the important thing is to prove it with their results to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

“I think then it won’t be a problem,” said Chong Wei when met at the Youth and Sports Ministry’s Hari Raya Open House at the Axiata Arena on Monday (April 21).

Chong Wei’s response to the matter comes after the trend of national players opting to leave the national setup for an independent route in their careers.

It is learnt that women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are the latest on their way to the door, as they have not renewed their contracts and are currently in discussion with the BAM and may leave the association to turn independent.

“I’ve always said that players these days are pampered,” said Chong Wei.

“But if they have the results and want to make demands, the association for sure will try to find sponsors to accommodate that.

“But right now the players are not at that level yet, and they are asking for so much.

“They will say that if the association does not give them what they want, they will choose to go professional instead,” said Chong Wei.

Three-time Olympic silver-medallist Chong Wei added that with BAM set to see new leadership on May 10, he hopes there will be a better structure put in place to address the issue of playing leaving the setup.

“We don’t know who will take over yet, but the hope is a new leader that can bring BAM to a new level.

“I’m not saying that the previous leadership was not good, I just hope it can be brought to new heights,” he said.