KUALA LUMPUR – Many within the badminton fraternity believe that former national singles player Datuk Lee Chong Wei will succeed Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria as the new president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). However, there is another person who is also being considered for the top post.
Speaking to Scoop, an insider said that Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is the front runner to replace Norza as president of BAM when the latter steps down at the end of the year.
“It is not Chong Wei, as Tengku Zafrul is going to take the top post from Norza. It is not surprising, seeing that Tengku Zafrul has a corporate background, which separates him from the others in the badminton fraternity.
“I know many in the industry are looking at Chong Wei as the possible candidate to replace Norza, but you need someone with a corporate background like Tengku Zafrul to run BAM.
“The job of the BAM president is to make sure that the association’s cash flow is good and does not depend too much on government funding. This was what Norza had been doing since he took over in 2017.
“Norza corporatised BAM. Tengku Zafrul will be capable of continuing the legacy because he comes from a corporate background,” said the source.
The insider added that the former banker’s corporate profile will also help build the national body to greater heights.
“He (Zafrul) is well connected, and that gives him an added advantage in attracting sponsors. You need someone of high calibre to carry on Norza’s work.
Tengku Zafrul has always had an eye for sports, since his days as chief executive of CIMB Bank.
The businessman-turned-politician has been part of the organising committee for Junior Cycling Malaysia, the Malaysian Dota 2 Championships, the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Series, and the CIMB National Golf Championships.
He was also involved with the National Junior Squash Circuit and the development of Johan Cruyff football courts in Kuala Lumpur – the Cruyff Foundation.
Earlier, there were speculations that three-time Olympic silver medalist Chong Wei was tipped to take over as president of BAM. – August 26, 2023