FORMER international Rashid Sidek is puzzled with the inaction of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in safeguarding the well-being of shuttlers, despite having a healthy bank balance.
According to BWF's 2019 audited financial statements, the world body generated a total gross income of US$25,790,919 (RM110.10 million) with the expenditure for the year standing at US$14,675,422 (RM62.64m), leaving a healthy balance of US$11,115,497 (RM47.46m).
The international shuttlers have been feeling the financial heat since the suspension of badminton tournaments in mid-March amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The BWF have announced that the season will restart in September.
"BWF are nothing without players. The sport is about shuttlers, who not only promote the game and draw the crowd but also attract sponsors," Rashid told Timesport yesterday.
"It is time for the BWF to give back to the players.
"Players, especially professionals, have lost their source of income as the season is currently suspended.
"They earn money by doing well in tournaments.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has also forced some sponsors to stop funding professional players, and this has made life difficult for them. They have families to feed.
"Frankly, the BWF have never done much for their players in the past. With tournaments set to resume only in September, the world body should offer some form of funding to players.
"Although the season is planned for a September restart, things are still uncertain. More tournaments could be cancelled.
"Not all countries offer allowances to their respective shuttlers. Here, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) take care of their players by offering allowances and other initiatives.
"If the BWF do not come up with an initiative to help players, some may quit the sport.
"It is time for the BWF to look into the welfare of players.
"It is pointless for an international body to have a healthy bank balance when their stakeholders (players) are struggling."
Rashid added that the BWF should also offer prize money to the winners of the Thomas/Uber Cups and the World Championships.
"The Thomas/Uber Cups and the World Championships are the most prestigious tournaments in the sport, and yet no prize money is offered to the winners.
"It is dumbfounding as other world bodies offer prize money to the winners of their flagship events.
"Furthermore, the prize money offered in 'Open' badminton tournaments is nothing compared to golf and tennis tournaments.
On Saturday, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) revealed that they have written to the BWF for financial assistance to host the Malaysia Open in November.
The national body estimate that they will have to spend more than RM4 million to organise the tournament.
