KUALA LUMPUR — Deploying Malaysia’s top shuttlers to the 2025 SEA Games is a justified and strategic move, as the regional event also serves as crucial preparation for major international tournaments, say analysts.
Speaking to Scoop, veteran sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli said the SEA Games has always been the highest level of competition in the region and not a youth-only platform.
He noted that senior athletes who remain competitive at regional level deserve the chance to compete, especially when their experience can contribute to the country’s medal haul.
“There is no issue with Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) sending the best contingent this time to redeem the disappointment in Cambodia when we returned without a single gold medal,” he said.
“Why should we hold back our top players? That approach previously led to our worst performance and sparked criticism from fans.”
Pekan added that young players already gain wide exposure through BWF International Challenge and Series tournaments, and fielding senior players does not hinder youth development.
He also highlighted that nations such as Thailand and Indonesia routinely send their strongest squads while maintaining a pipeline of emerging talent.
“What matters most is current performance, not age,” he said.
“If we lack ready replacements at youth level, that reflects weaknesses in the development ecosystem — not the inclusion of senior players.”
Meanwhile, Sadek Mustaffa, a senior sports science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA, echoed the sentiment, citing pressures from higher authorities to deliver strong medal outcomes.
“It’s not about denying opportunities to younger players,” he told Scoop.
“BAM had little choice but to send the best athletes, even though they must compete in a global event just days after the SEA Games.”
Sadek noted Malaysia has a pool of promising young shuttlers who have performed well in Tier 3 IBF tournaments, a competitive level comparable to the SEA Games.
However, with high expectations to secure medals, BAM could not risk a weaker squad. He also highlighted that other countries, including Indonesia, rely on top athletes, sometimes offering significant rewards for gold medallists.
He added that BAM’s collaboration with Malaysia’s expanding network of professional clubs remains central to talent development, and the association has been proactive in managing doubles pairs with strategic rest periods to prevent injuries and fatigue.
For context, BAM announced its SEA Games squad earlier this month, featuring top players including Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles), and Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah (women’s doubles), among others.
While some praised BAM’s bold move, critics on social media argued it limits opportunities for emerging players at a biennial tournament long regarded as a platform for developing talent.
It was also reported that BAM has set a target of four gold medals for the SEA Games, with a broader seven-medal expectation as part of its push to restore Malaysia’s regional standing. – December 8, 2025