[Saba Sports News] Lee Chong Wei, Chairman of the Malaysian Badminton Performance Committee, told The Star that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) initially set dormitory rules to foster discipline among young players and ensure they get sufficient rest for morning training sessions.
Under BAM regulations, all unmarried players are required to stay in the players’ dormitory, while married players are exempted from this rule. However, he has received numerous reports and complaints about players leaving the dormitory without permission and returning only late at night. In response, Lee Chong Wei stated that a small number of players are still failing to abide by the rules. If they continue to refuse to cooperate, official final warning letters will be issued. Should the violations persist, the matter will be brought before the council meeting to discuss and decide on disciplinary sanctions. The specific punishment for these rule-breaking players will be fully determined by council members.
Lee Chong Wei revealed that he also lived in the players’ dormitory during his playing days and only moved out after getting married. He stressed that the rules are not meant to restrict players’ personal freedom; instead, professional athletes have to make sacrifices if they aim to achieve outstanding accomplishments. He further emphasized that discipline is essential in any profession, especially given the relatively short career span of badminton players.
In the editor’s opinion, Lee Chong Wei holds an extremely strict attitude towards discipline and maintains high self-discipline himself. This is not only the key to his own successful playing career but also the core philosophy behind the reforms he is promoting in his current role as Chairman of the Malaysian Badminton Performance Committee.