The Chengdu Connection

Here’s a full explanation of why BAM sends its National Junior players every year to the Badminton Asia U15 & U17 Championships in Chengdu, China. It’s actually a strategic move by the BAM.

1. Official Continental Championship (Badminton Asia Sanctioned)

The BAT Yonex U15 & U17 Asia Junior Championships are the official continental event organized by Badminton Asia, the governing body for Asia. Every member nation — including Malaysia is required and expected to send representatives to this annual championship. It’s equivalent to a “continental championship” for junior players, just like the Asian Games or Thomas Cup for seniors. So BAM sends their players because it’s an official international duty under the Badminton Asia calendar.

2. Exposure and Experience for Young Players

The event gathers the best U15 and U17 players from all Asian countries — China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Hong Kong China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, UAE and Chinese Taipei.

BAM sees it as a key platform for player development, giving juniors:

- International match experience.

- Exposure to different playing styles.

- Mental and physical preparation for future world-level tournaments.

This helps BAM evaluate young talents for future national teams and BWF World Junior Championships.

3. Benchmarking Against Asia’s Strongest Players

Asia dominates world badminton — so the U15 and U17 Asia Championships are the toughest junior events in the world. Competing here allows Malaysian coaches to measure how far behind or ahead their players are compared to:

- China’s national juniors,

- Indonesia’s PBSI youth squad,

- Korea’s and Taiwan's school system, Thailand's and India's club system etc.

It’s an important performance benchmark for Malaysia’s junior centralised development program.

4. Part of BAM’s Talent Development Pathway.

The players BAM sends to Chengdu are usually from:

- Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS),

- State Badminton Association programs (like Penang BA, Johor BA, Selangor BA), or

- The National Junior Elite squad (ABM)

These players are carefully chosen through Afffin 100PLUS National Junior Circuits, National Championships, and internal trials. The Chengdu event is a final test and exposure stage before moving into the World Junior Championship (U19) level.

5. Centralized and Stable Venue

Since Chengdu has hosted the event consistently since around 2022–2023, it provides:

- World class badminton facility,

- Predictable travel arrangements,

- Cost efficient infrastructures,

- Reliable tournament management.

BAM benefits from this consistency and reduced logistical uncertainty, so Malaysia continues to send teams every year.

6. Building International Relations

Sending teams yearly helps BAM maintain good relations with Badminton Asia, China Badminton Association, and other federations.

This cooperation can lead to:

- Joint training camps,

- Exchange programs,

- Invitations to friendly tournaments.

✅ In summary:

BAM sends Malaysian junior players every year to the Asia U15 & U17 Championships in Chengdu because it’s an official continental event, gives vital international exposure, serves as a talent benchmark, and supports long-term player development under a stable and strategic hosting setup.