Tempers are flaring with Malaysian Badminton legend Lee Chong Wei taking a no-tolerance approach for students refusing to stay at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara. Supporting Chong Wei’s decision is Rexy Mainaky, who asserted that those players shouldn’t need extensive warnings to correct their behavior.

“Don't go to the third lecture, don't go to the fourth lecture,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of standards, as reported by Kamal Nizam for AstroArena.

While echoing the concerns raised by Chong Wei and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Mainaky highlighted the redundancy of repeated warnings. 

“But if we have said the lecture ten times, what is that?” he stated. “Are we talking to a wall or are we talking to a human being?”

Sporting success is often accompanied by complacency, considering the notoriety and fame following international acclaim. Mainaky, however, insisted that players cannot get ahead of themselves.

“In any field, discipline is the most important thing that determines whether or not a person will be successful in the future,” he stated, as per Ammar Hakim for StadiumAstro.

The 58-year-old reinforced his stance by mentioning sanctions in other sports, namely football. Mainaky asserted that the BAM has been lenient with its punishment compared to those imposed by top football clubs.

Mainaky's point bears weight, as football clubs and other sporting institutions place heavy fines on athletes for minor infractions. He reiterated the importance of rules and insisted that players will only benefit from them.

“The rules are not there because we dislike them,” Mainaky stated, as per TheStar. “If they want to succeed, these are the things they need to follow.”

Mainaky's statements come after Chong Wei voiced his dissatisfaction with player conduct at ABM. 

“The rule is for all unmarried players to stay at the hostel, except for those who are married,” he stated, as reported by TheStar.

Besides being emphatic, Mainaky and Chong Wei’s comments may be representative of a deeper issue.

Chong Wei worried about player conduct at ABM

With mounting reports of indiscipline and upheaval, Chong Wei has chosen to take a stand. According to him, staying at the hostel has been a rule long implemented by the Badminton Association of Malaysia to instill discipline among players.

Chong Wei recounted the corrective steps taken, including informing the association president, Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

“I already have concerns about this matter and I have also informed the president,” he stated.

The 43-year-old also mentioned possible punishments for those unwilling to comply. This included a final warning letter and summoning the council to determine sanctions.

Chong Wei’s recommendations go beyond punitive actions, however. Besides the staying rules, he has also asked the ABM hostel to build recreational areas and entertainment facilities.

With the BAM council set holding a meeting on May 24, Malaysian Badminton might take an interesting path forward.

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Written by

Sijo Paul