The national body also indicated they would not cough out the cash to enter the shuttlers in any tournaments deemed not necessary this year, especially with the Olympics qualification only resuming in 2021.
“We are still faced with the Covid-19 situation, so we need to be cautious and plan well. Health and safety of the players and coaches are our highest priority.
“We also need to look at the resources we have. During these unprecedented times, we got to get our priorities right. Our most important agendas are the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals and the Olympics qualification next year.
“It’s better for us to save up so we have enough resources to go full force when the Olympics qualifiers return next year,” said BAM president Norza Zakaria.
Having said that, the national shuttlers also have to prepare for the Olympics qualifiers and are expected to feature in several tournaments once the season resumes this year.
The revamped calendar sees over 20 tournaments from September until December, and so the national body has many options to choose from.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said they would reveal more information on the season restart in September.
“We have prepared and will publish in due course new procedures for hosting international tournaments in line with advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and relevant health authorities.
“It is not a simple process and we share your frustrations around the uncertainty we are all expecting. We also acknowledge that many international movement and entry restrictions are still in place.
“We are working with the host organizer and local authorities to map out and plan safe travel and entry routes for players and their entourage,” said BWF secretary-general Thomas Lund.
Several member associations like the BAM have already indicated they may call off the Malaysia Open (November 24-29) due to the high organising cost and non-significance without Olympic ranking points offered.
