KUALA LUMPUR: The BA of Malaysia (BAM) has identified two clubs that allegedly make false affiliation claims to the national body, and said it will take stern action, including police reports, against them.
BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said the clubs, which use the BAM logo, have approached parents to enrol their children into their programmes.
On Wednesday, BAM issued a statement that clubs and their training programmes were falsely claiming or implying affiliation with the BAM.
“The two clubs were involved in the scam and so far, we have managed to nip the issue in the bud. Stern action, including lodging police reports, will be taken against them,” said Kenny.
“We also remind all badminton clubs and academies to abide by the rules. Misusing the BAM logo to convince parents to enrol their children is prohibited.
“Parents should also be vigilant and avoid falling prey to these scam clubs. Check their legitimacy before paying hefty sums for your kids’ training.”
Former SEA Games champion Chong Wei Feng said the scam clubs issue may disrupt the efforts of many former national shuttlers like him to develop the sport through clubs and academies.
Wei Feng, who runs the Chong Wei Feng (CWF) and Shuttle Flash Badminton Academies (SFBA), said that anyone calling themselves affiliated with BAM other than the state BAs, is surely a “red flag” for parents.
“Scams like this will definitely affect legal clubs and academies run by former players and other experienced and qualified coaches,” said Wei Feng.
“Only Kuala Lumpur BA has a club panel under their ‘Jejak Juara’ programmem but I don’t think others have such facilities.
“I heard something like this last year where some people tried to approach schools, but it died off.
“Parents need to be very careful as there will be individuals pretending to be attached to big clubs and academies.”
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