The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Norza Zakaria has decided to stay on to continue assuming his position after having discussions with Youth & Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and the national body’s council members.

Norza was supposed to have vacated his hotseat this month to pave the way for Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Zafrul Abdul Aziz, but has decided to stay on with the Paris Olympics looming next year.

“The focus is until the Olympic Games, and the council has also decided not to set a specific departure date for me, so we will leave as it is. This decision was made to ensure stability and focus especially with preparations for the Paris Olympics set to intensify.

“He (Zafrul) also understands that the BAM presidency role should be passed to him when the time is right,” said Norza at the BAM council meeting on Saturday.

Norza staying on comes days after Hannah signalled her intention for the head honcho to continue steering the national body forward earlier this week.

Norza’s term as president runs until 2025.

With less than eight months until the Paris Olympics, Norza will turn his attention to ensure as many national shuttlers make the cut to feature at the world’s biggest sporting stage.

Next year’s season curtain raiser begins with the Malaysia Open (Jan 9-14).