{
  "id": 13458917,
  "title": "Sports grant scheme can help develop next generation, says BAM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/sports-grant-scheme-can-help-develop-next-generation-says-bam-13458917",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-10T15:26:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2026/10/10/sports-grant-scheme-can-help-develop-next-generation-says-bam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has praised the RM30 million sports matching grant scheme in the 2027 budget, stating it will create more opportunities for local players to test their abilities against stronger opponents and gain experience before competing internationally. BAM president Tengku Zafrul Aziz highlighted the importance of such competitive exposure to overcome the dependence on a few established star players and build a system for nurturing the next generation of badminton athletes. He emphasized that consistent talent development, quality coaching, and comprehensive sports science support were crucial for ensuring a steady pipeline of capable players to replace retiring champions. While BAM's immediate focus is on achieving success, the association also aims to secure Malaysia's competitive position in badminton for future generations. The increase in sports funding at the school level is a positive step, but a robust development pathway is necessary to prevent identified talent from being overlooked. BAM is currently concentrating on preparing the national badminton team for the 2027 SEA Games, with the 2027 federal budget allocating RM460 million for national sports development and RM240 million for the hosting of the SEA Games and Asean Para Games.",
  "summary": "Badminton chief Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the grant initiative would create a competitive platform for domestic tournaments, allowing local players to gain experience before progressing to the international stage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sports grant scheme can help develop next generation, says BAM",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/sports-grant-scheme-can-help-develop-next-generation-says-bam",
        "published": "2026-10-10T15:26:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}