The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is exploring greater use of technology in player development and tournament management as it continues to strengthen its badminton programme.
BAM secretary general Datuk Kenny Goh Chee Keong said the association was looking at technology companies that could provide practical solutions and was interested in strategic partnerships rather than one-off arrangements.
He said BAM needed to embrace technology as the sport continued to evolve.
To put it crudely, if you don’t join them, we will be left behind. Simple. We either embrace or we are left out in technology,” he said.
Kenny said BAM was also using scientific elements in player development, including data-based selection, video analysis and biomechanics assessment.
Even if you want to draw a player, there is a lot of data. And it’s very scientific based in terms of developing the players from a junior player to a senior player,” he said.
Player development remains a key priority for BAM, with state associations providing the pipeline for players entering the national system.
All our players come from the state. So the pipeline from the states is very, very crucial,” Kenny said.
He said BAM also needed to innovate its approach to younger players, particularly the Gen Z generation, as part of its development programme.
Kenny was speaking in an interview on June 24, following BAM’s introduction of Reveal Lens, the world’s first AI-powered Instant Review System (IRS), at the Affin 100Plus Junior Elite Tour Finals 2026, which ended on June 21.
The system, developed by Revealtek Sdn Bhd and approved by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), is being considered for wider use at BAM tournaments. It uses AI and high-speed cameras to review disputed line calls and deliver decisions within seconds.
Kenny said Reveal Lens stood out for its competitive price, the developer’s willingness to explore a strategic partnership and its practicality, as it requires little working space and can be set up in just two hours.
He added that BAM was assessing various technology companies based on how beneficial they could be to the association.
Meanwhile, BAM Deputy President 1 Datuk V. Subramaniam said introducing the system at junior tournaments was aimed at familiarising young players with technology from an early age.
He said junior tournaments were key to scouting future players, and that he first introduced the system at Selangor tournaments before bringing it to BAM competitions
My main intention was to find ways and means to introduce this system to the younger generation. As early as young they are, they get to understand what is IRS and what is challenge,” he said.
Subramaniam said the technology could also create greater interest among young players by showing them how technology was becoming part of the sport.
There must be some attraction for the younger players. They should see that badminton has something great to offer. That is what can pull them into the sport. My intention is to inspire,” he said.
He said BAM was already in discussions with Revealtek on further applications of the system, including an analytical programme for individual players during training.
That means scientifically you do a proper analysis of a player…Then you see the shortcomings of the player,” he explained.
He said that such analysis could help coaches identify areas for improvement and guide players accordingly.
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