Michelle, Jones leave ABM following women's team SEA Games exit

Following the Malaysia women's badminton team's disastrous performance at the 2023 SEA Games, two key personnel at the Academy Badminton of Malaysia (ABM) have left the organisation.

"The ABM can confirm today that in taking full responsibility and accountability of the lack of recent results involving Malaysian players, Michelle Chai has tendered her resignation as chief executive officer.

"High performance director Dr Timothy Jones has also been relieved of his duties with immediate effect," read an ABM statement.

Chai had earlier said the performance of the female team, who lost 3-0 against minnows Philippines was unacceptable.

“What happened yesterday is not acceptable!”CEO Petronas ABM, Michelle Chai mengambil tanggungjawab sepenuhnya atas kekalahan pasukan wanita di Sukan Sea Kemboja ke atas Filipina semalam.More on Nadi Arena 7.30 pm today.@ASTROARENA pic.twitter.com/ePsTFH0vuI
— Fateen (@fateenshazwani) May 9, 2023

Chai and Jones were the two key personnel in charge of the national shuttlers performances after the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had separated itself from the team's day-to-day management and entrusted ABM of that role as a separate body.

The women shuttlers will next participate in the individual events beginning on Friday.

BAM umumkan perletakan jawatan Michelle Chai sebagai CEO ABM sementara Dr Timothy dipecat serta merta susulan kekalahan Skuad Badminton Wanita kepada Filipina di Sukan SEA KembojaLaporan penuh Nadi Arena 7.30 Malam ini!!#NadiArena #AstroArena pic.twitter.com/PPgPFvWt6v
— ASTRO ARENA (@ASTROARENA) May 9, 2023