SBA clears the air after badminton confusion

KUCHING: The Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) will adhere to the directives of the Sarawak Sports Commissioner and the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports (KBS) amidst the current situation that has caused confusion among its members and the general public.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Datuk Husain, who has led SBA for almost 15 years, issued an official statement to clarify matters of public interest, especially within the local badminton community.

The statement aimed to clarify the recent confusion regarding the Judicial Review dated May 17, 2024, concerning the official office-bearers for the SBA.

According to him, the Judicial Review challenges the decision of the Sarawak Regional Sports Commissioner and the Federal Minister of Youth and Sports, Malaysia, in endorsing the current committee of SBA under his presidency, along with his elected and appointed committee.

“Following that, the Sarawak Regional Sports Commissioner, together with Hannah Yeoh as the Federal Minister of Youth and Sports, Malaysia, have, through the Attorney General’s Chambers Malaysia Sarawak (AGC), filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal on June 13, 2024, regarding the decision made by the Judicial Review.

“Myself and our committee, under the governance of the Sarawak Regional Sports Commissioner, will respect the final official decision of the esteemed Sports Commissioner office.

“In the meantime, before receiving any official notification from the Sports Commissioner, we will continue to run SBA in the best interest of the development of badminton in Sarawak,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz and his committee have received unanimous support from various relevant sports authorities at both the Federal and Sarawak levels.

CEO and director of the Sarawak Sports Council Awang Putra Yusrie Awang Redzuan, with the blessings of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, issued official letters of recognition to Abdul Aziz on June 20, 2024.

“To ensure the uninterrupted preparation and execution of the 21st edition of Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI) and to foster the continued development of badminton in Sarawak, the SSC and Sarawak Sports Council seek our cooperation in maintaining the day-to-day operations and meeting the necessary expenses of SBA,” said Abdul Aziz.

“Our current committee, under the existing leadership, was encouraged to continue managing SBA until an official decision is made by the Sarawak Regional Sports Commissioner regarding the present situation,” he added.

The national badminton governing body, Badminton Association Malaysia (BAM), also issued an official letter to Abdul Aziz and his committee on June 25, 2024.

The letter from BAM clearly stated that it will continue working with the current committee of SBA as the matter is being reviewed in the Court of Appeal.