BANGKOK: The BA of Malaysia (BAM) should try to work towards having separate programmes based on age groups for their shuttlers.
Badminton Asia chief operations officer Kenny Goh said a more structured programme involving State BAs need to be introduced to increase the talent pool in the country.
"BAM should have three separate levels for the national squad — elite, back up and junior.
"The elite group should be 'lean and mean' with only four to six players and three to six pairs each for men’s, women’s and mixed doubles.
The back up squad should be larger, comprising players aged 19-21. Shuttlers in the back up and elite should have joint training sessions.
“The third group, which is the most important one, should be for players aged 15-18. Development should also go beyond the Bukit Jalil Sports School, which means State BAs must be empowered.
“Clubs should also be given the opportunity to grow and flourish under BAM's supervision. Decentralisation should be the key.
"BAM can also plan more development tournaments, as events are the best form of training.
“For every level of the squad, there should be head coaches and they report directly to the honorary secretary and president.
"Lee Chong Wei can still be part of the plan, perhaps have a special programme designed for him with Hendrawan as his coach.
“These are just my thoughts, but I do believe, if there is someone who can push for a revamp, it is Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria (BAM president)," said Kenny, through a Twitter thread on Saturday in response to a report by NSTP Sport.
Following Malaysia's exit in the quarter-finals for the Thomas Cup and group stages in the Uber Cup, the BAM noted that programmes will need to be re-looked into.
BAM are also targeting to end their title drought in four years time.
On Thursday, Malaysia lost 3-1 to Indonesia in the Thomas Cup quarter-finals, while the women's team failed to even clear the group stages, finishing third in Group D, behind China and Indonesia.