BAM confirms rumours of Pearly-Thinaah making additional demands

KUALA LUMPUR: The rumours are true. Women's doubles players Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah have made additional demands to the new contracts offered by the BA of Malaysia (BAM).

BAM secretary general Datuk Kenny Goh confirmed that the duo's contracts had ended in January, but refused to make any speculation on their future with BAM. "I don't want to make any speculation whether they are staying or leaving. As far as I'm concerned, they are still part of BAM and we are happy to see that they are still training here," said Kenny today.



"It is normal for anyone to ask for a pay raise when a contract ends. What is more important is that they are committed and have been working hard in training. "Their contracts ended in January and we are still discussing it and I don't want to reveal their exact demands.

" Rumours are rife that world No. 6 Pearly-Thinaah want to become an independent pair and that rival sponsors have been courting them. Meanwhile, national women's doubles coach Rosman Razak said the ongoing contract issue has not affected Pearly-Thinaah's preparation for next week's Asian Championships in Ningbo, China.

"It (rumours of the contract issue) has not affected their training at all. As a BAM coach, I just want Pearly-Thinaah to remain with us. "I don't want to ask them anything on this (whether they are leaving BAM) as it is not my jurisdiction to know about this.

" He added that Pearly, who suffered an ankle injury at the All England last month, has recovered. "What's important is that Pearly has recovered from her injury and they have been working hard for the Asian Championships where they have a tough first round match (against South Korea's world No. 10 Hwang Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong).

"© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.