Malaysia's disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2025 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships last week was disappointing, and while some felt that the reserve squad should not be overly criticised, the poor results raised two key questions: are the BWF players too complacent? Or are well-paid coaches failing to improve the overall level?

Subramalim believes that the Malaysian players did not show the fighting spirit they should have shown in the game. (Photo source: 2025 Asian Badminton Mixed Team Championships Organizing Committee)

The acting president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, Datuk Subama Lian, expressed his disappointment and said he would ask for an explanation when he met with the coach of the Malaysian national badminton team this week.

Subamalen: The result is unacceptable, Subamalen said: "I know some of our reserve players are doing well, but overall the result is unacceptable. "If we were a country that struggled to develop top badminton talent, it would be a different story, but that's not the case." "The best example is that the former national badminton players who left the badminton association and became free agents, why do they achieve better results after leaving?" Does the fact that the players are enjoying everything in the BWF, including training, salary, logistical support, tournament fees, allowances, equipment and sponsorship, but the results are not satisfactory, does this mean that the players are too content with the status quo?" We also have some of the best coaches in the world, so are they failing to improve their players? I hope to get an answer when we meet. ”

Subamarian's concern stems from the absence of a number of key players in the Asian Badminton Mixed Team Championships last week, including Men's Singles Lee Zi Jia, Men's Doubles "Xie Su" Chia Ding Feng and So Wei Yi, "Fei Ting" Goh Shi Fei and Noi Zuting, Women's Doubles "Lettie" Tan Kang Lok and Tina, and Mixed Doubles "Jie Wei" Tan Tang Kit and Du Yi Wei, after losing to Hong Kong and Indonesia by the same score of 2-3 in the group stage, and the team failed to advance from the group stage to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

This means that Malaysia did not qualify directly for the Sudirman Cup World Mixed Team Championship from 27 April to 4 May with a semi-final result, and could only qualify by virtue of their world rankings. Comparing former world number one Malaysian badminton legend Lee Chong Wee, Subramalim questioned whether the current generation of players has the same desire and dedication as the three-time Olympic silver medallist in men's singles. He said: "Lee Chong Wei is very focused and dedicated. Even though he lives outside the training centre, he is still the first player to arrive at the training ground every day. "But today, I saw the players laughing, chatting and joking after the loss. Even in defeat, I didn't see them having the same fighting spirit. That's why I started questioning. ”