BAM acknowledges that the target for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has not been achieved

Goh speaks during a press conference at the Malaysia Badminton Academy in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur today. – Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 13): The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has admitted that players under its auspices who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games failed to achieve their target by failing to bring home a gold medal.

However, BAM Secretary-General Datuk Kenny Goh said he did not want to make excuses for the performance and instead wanted to forget the issue immediately and focus on improving the performance of the domestic players in the future.

“We did not reach the goal, but badminton is still a sport that gives medals to the contingent in almost every Olympic Games. Maybe some say it is only bronze, but it is not easy, I thank you for the support.

“So I don’t want to give excuses for not doing this and making improvements,” he told reporters at a news conference today.

At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the duo managed to take home the bronze medal only through Aaron-Wooi Yik in the men’s doubles under the auspices of BAM, while two other pairs, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women’s doubles) and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles), advanced to the decisive bronze final and the quarterfinals respectively.

Meanwhile, Academy Badminton Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky said he had mixed feelings about his pupils’ performance at the prestigious Games.

He believes that the BAM players have not failed completely as they have managed to perform better than before.

“The mixed feeling comes from him being unhappy about not taking home the gold medal, but he is also happy because of the players’ performance.

“They almost won the gold medal. I hope there is no word for ‘almost’ after this and I hope I can bring home a gold medal,” he said. – Bernama