Match-fixing game is not new and bookie offers upto $77k: A former Malaysian player

Match fixing scandals is not new as told by a former Malaysian badminton player; he claimed that there were players who received up to USD $77k from a match fixer in 2006-2007.

The former world no. 1 said, “This is not something new. Perhaps, what’s new is the use of technology that make it difficult to trace the interaction between bookies and the players.

“What we are seeing or hearing now is just a small part of the real problem. I was surprised when I found out something like this over 10 years ago.”

“One time, when I was playing in an European tournament and I was able to make the quarter-finals. We usually had breakfast at the cafeteria in the hotel, and there was a computer at the corner of the hotel.”

“I used that computer to check the match score and I noticed there was an official betting website on that computer. It was even more surprising when I saw my name on that website.”

“The process of making a bet is easier, you just have to choose who you think will win. Of course I cannot bet on myself but I know there are players who ask his friends to make a bet on him to lose and from there he get a lot of money.”

“I know a player can earn up to USD $77k while the prize money for winning the tournament is only USD $6,000.”

The player believes that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) will act on the recently accused Malaysian guilty-parties based on the information provided. He said, “I’m not sure if BWF had previously monitored the lifestyle of these two players because there are many players out there, and we should just wait for the results of the trial in Singapore at the end of this month.”

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria did not reveal the names of the shuttlers, but admitted that the BAM had been kept in the loop by the world body.

“The BWF have informed us and I can confirm that both are not BAM players. I want to stress again that BAM have a zero tolerance for match-fixing. Coaches have been told to warn their players because I don’t want any BAM players to be involved in this.Everything is up to BWF right now. We are not privileged to attend the hearing. I don’t want to speculate until we’re clear of what charges the players face or if the players are even guilty.

“If found guilty, this will tarnish the image of Malaysian badminton. It should serve as a warning to all players,” added Norza.

The two players must attend the trial in Singapore on 26 and 27 February and will be banned for life if found guilty.