Zulfadli needs to join BAM to improve - Khairy

Independent badminton player Zulfadli Zulkifli has been told to consider joining the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) so that his talent could be further polished to succeed former world number one, Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in making the call today said so long as Zulfadli was independent and outside of the national system, the ministry could not assist him comprehensively.

"I hope Zulfadli will think of his future as he has the talent and was a world youth champion and we could see his performance at the World Championship was good despite losing.

"If we were to look for Chong Wei's successor, Zulfadli at age 22 is among the players. If he remains outside, his talent is only 50 per cent while the balance involving preparations in sports science, fitness, training and others may not be so effective," he said when asked to comment on Zulfadli's future.

Khairy was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between his ministry and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd here on Friday.