KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) council has unanimously selected Datuk V. Subramaniam to take over as acting president when incumbent Tan Sri Norza Zakaria steps down after the Paris Olympics in August.
The decision was made during BAM's council meeting in Bukit Jalil today.
Subramaniam is currently BAM deputy president one, and a handover ceremony is expected to be held on Aug 24.
Norza said Subramaniam will hold the position until the association's annual general meeting (AGM) is held in either April or May next year.
"To ensure stability and also strengthen what we have already built, all council members have agreed that we must have an internal candidate lead the association until the AGM," said Norza today.
"This is also in line with the BAM constitution, article 9.2E, which refers to the position of the acting president until the next AGM."
Norza took the reins in 2017, replacing Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff.
During his seven-year tenure, he helped strengthen BAM's finances and governance. BAM received a five-star status from the Sports Commissioner's Office during the period.
Malaysia also became world champions for the first time in 2022 through men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
Norza previously stated his intent to step down at the end of last year. However, was persuaded by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to stay on until the conclusion of the Paris Olympics.
Subramaniam admitted that taking over as acting president is a big responsibility.
"I want to continue all the plans which Tan Sri Norza has worked on, especially in terms of development," he said.
"In terms of sponsorship, the rest of the management and I have often been in discussion about this with Tan Sri Norza.
"We have worked together for a long time with our sponsors Petronas and Yonex. I believe Petronas will remain with us as they have been very kind to us all this while. They have seen us at work and want to help raise the standard of Malaysian badminton together."
Subramaniam became BAM vice president in 2007 and later held the position of treasurer between 2017 and 2021.
He is also the Selangor Badminton Association president.
