Source: REUTERS/Thomas Shea
[Saba Sports News] According to recent reports from Malaysian media, several prominent badminton players in Malaysia have made demands to the Badminton Association, requesting an annual salary of 2 million ringgit, or they will consider becoming free agents. Currently, the Malaysian Badminton Association offers salaries ranging from 2,000 to 20,000 ringgit per month, which has left many players dissatisfied due to the low pay. Without sufficient competitions to participate in, their livelihoods are at stake. The players’ actions are reportedly influenced by the government’s encouragement for private companies to raise employee salaries and the impending salary increases for civil servants, leading badminton players to feel that their efforts are not matched by their income. They have put in tremendous effort in training and competitions and hope for higher returns to sustain their lives and continue developing in their badminton careers. They face high personal expenses, including training and equipment costs, and the current salary levels may not meet these needs.