Johor Junior Badminton Elite Circuit: Selangor BA Upholds Decision, No Appeal Received from Putrajaya BA

Kuala Lumpur, February 5, 2026 – Selangor Badminton Association (SBA) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal has stated that the Putrajaya Badminton Association (PBA) did not file an appeal requesting permission for its players to participate in the Johor Youth Badminton Elite Circuit. This follows a recent controversy where 16 players were initially barred from competing.

Subahan Kamal, who is also a vice-president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), was responding to reports surrounding the eligibility of the players, who were initially disqualified for representing Putrajaya while being students in Selangor.

According to a resolution passed during a BAM council meeting on October 18, 2025, youth players in competitions are required to represent the state in which they are schooled, in accordance with regulations set by the Ministry of Education’s national schools sports council (MSSM).

Subahan Kamal explained that if a state association wishes to allow a player not residing in that state to compete, it must obtain a formal release letter from the player’s home state association beforehand.

No Appeal Received from Putrajaya

“Selangor BA did not receive any appeal from Putrajaya BA requesting permission for players studying in Selangor to represent Putrajaya,” Subahan Kamal stated. “We did not receive any appeal letter from the association.”

He added, “After the BAM council made its decision, everyone must respect that decision.”

Subahan Kamal suggested that had Putrajaya BA appealed the decision, a resolution might have been possible for the current tournament, though adjustments could have been considered for future events. “We could have reached a consensus,” he said.

BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria subsequently intervened, coordinating a one-time exemption to allow the 16 players to compete, citing concerns for their welfare. However, he emphasized that this decision was a special exemption applicable only to this particular tournament.

The situation highlights the enforcement of regulations regarding player representation in youth badminton competitions within Malaysia, and the process for addressing exceptions to those rules.