KUALA LUMPUR — Former international Datuk James Selvaraj is pleased that younger players will no longer have to wait until the age of 16 to join the national set-up, but insists that grassroots growth will rely on technical expertise.
Under the new leadership of Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) announced on Saturday that it would revert to its previous development model, allowing players as young as 13 to be part of the national junior squad.
The move was among several unveiled under Tengku Zafrul’s Tangkis 2030 blueprint.
However, James pointed out that the junior development committee still lacks one vital element — the technical expertise of former players.
Speaking to Scoop, James, who served BAM as high-performance director from 2010 to 2012, said: “I am really happy that BAM has reverted to its earlier development model. Players no longer need to wait until after 16 to become champions. If they are good enough, promote them earlier.
“Now that Tengku Zafrul has announced his vision and mission for BAM, I hope the next step will be to put the right people in charge of the respective committees, particularly development.
“I understand that (Datuk Seri) Lee Chong Wei has been brought into the Council, but he may be tasked with overseeing the senior elite performance. Any Council member can head a committee, but it is crucial for the chairperson to have a technical advisor.”
According to James, a capable technical advisor would be able to oversee the scouting programme and work closely with BAM’s two coaching directors — Kenneth Jonassen (singles) and Rexy Mainaky (doubles) — to implement a uniform, nationwide development pathway.
“The development committee, as I have always said, must go down to the ground — into schools, into every rural kampung — because that is where much of the talent will emerge,” added James, who often cites the legendary Sidek family as an example.
For now, it remains to be seen who will lead BAM’s various committees, but Tengku Zafrul has assured that appointments will be finalised by the next Council meeting in October. — August 18, 2025