KUALA LUMPUR: "If you must wear a pagoda t-shirt to train at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), so be it, as that is the sacrifice you have to make." These were words of former Malaysian doubles great Jalani Sidek in response to the recent apparel controversy, which many felt was blown out of proportion.
Jalani, who is the president of independent club Nusa Mahsuri, said professional players can always choose to train outside the national camp. Players must abide by the house rules to train at the national camp.
Last week, independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia was once again dragged into the spotlight when his coach Wong Tat Meng took to social media accusing the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) of bullying professional players.This came after the national body issued a new directive, which required professional players to wear either neutral attires, or ones which did not clearly display conflicting logos to train at ABM.
BAM is sponsored by Japanese sports equipment brand, Yonex.To add more fuel to Tat Meng's post, 25-year-old Zii Jia left a very sarcastic comment, which read: "Don't call me big headed if I don't come for training. Aishhhhh....it's difficult being LZJ, everything is my fault, headache."
Former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei took offence and slammed Zii Jia and Tat Meng for stirring up an issue."To be honest, this is not something new. Rules about sponsorship and logos on attires have been around since the 80s," said Jalani on Sunday at a special press conference with his brother Misbun Sidek.
"But it wasn't an issue. Back then, Rashid (Sidek) and I were sponsored by Carlton, while the rest were Yonex. We didn't have an issue."I agree with Chong Wei, and I know why he is upset.
"First of all, when you decide to be an independent, you are technically saying you don't need BAM and can do things on your own."So if BAM invites you to come and train at their place for the benefit of all parties, you as an independent have to make that sacrifice.
"If you can't, then don't accept the invitation," said Jalani.It remains to be seen if the independent players will return to spar once a week at ABM after the World Championships this week, as the next big assignment for Malaysian shuttlers is the Hangzhou Asian Games next month.
Meanwhile, Jalani, a member of the 1992 Thomas Cup winning squad, believes Zii Jia has what it takes to be a top shuttler.However, results may not come overnight for the former All England champion.
"Zii Jia can go far, and with Tat Meng, its a process. Results can't be instant."If it's not this Olympic cycle, then maybe the next. But this is where Zii Jia needs to be mature, so that it does not become an issue," added Jalani, who also ruled out any possibility of becoming the next BAM president.
"Being a club president is different. Tan Sri Norza (Zakaria) has the expertise to bring in the sponsors as a businessman, and to lead ABM."He has done everything right so far, but maybe we just haven't seen that big result yet.
"Short term results are very hard to achieve," he said.