BAM concurs with OIC, gives four additional accreditation for Olympics

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is forced to accept the condition and decision of the International Olympic Council (IOC) to only give four additional Olympic Games accreditation passes.

BAM acting president Tan Sri Mohamad Al Amin Abdul Majid said they had sought at least six Olympic accreditation passes from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for coaches, support staff and training partners.

"We have to accept as this is the decision made by IOC. All players competing will get their acreditation passes. We have to follow their (OIC) rules but must prioritise what is most important," he told the media at Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara, here, today.

In the same development, Mohamad Al Amin said the training venue in Rio would be opened to the competing nations to start training on July 24.

The national squad would depart on July 29.

He said the national squad would only conduct centralised training in the country before departing to the Olympic Games.

Commenting on Malaysia's chance at the Olympic Games in August, Mohamad Al Amin said world number one, Datuk Lee Chong Wei has a good chance of advancing to the final.

"Chong Wei may not have a problem to advance to the final but it may be quite difficult for the doubles and mixed doubles, it depends on the draw. If we are fortunate, we have a chance to go much further," he said, adding the draw would be known at the end of July.

Commenting on the delay in the construction of the National Badminton Centre of Excellence at Juara Stadium, he said BAM would discuss it with the National Sports Council (NSC) to find a solution so that the playes were not affected.

Juara Stadium which was used for training by the national shuttlers would be closed in October for renovation work for the SEA Games next year.

BAM was also at a loss to find a training centre because the Juara Stadium would become the venue for netball while badminton would take place at Bukit Jalil's Putra Stadium, which was now closed for renovation work.

The construction of the academy was scheduled to be completed last Nov 8, but the contractors, Purata Abadi Sdn Bhd informed that work was expected to be completed in December.

Work on the eight-storey badminton academy, which has facilities such as badminton courts, gymnasium, auditorium, mullti-purpose area, office, parking lots and hostels, started on March 3, 2014.