Kuala lumpur: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has presented a special contribution to national badminton legend Datuk Sylvia Ng as a mark of respect and appreciation for her service and legacy in the development of Malaysian badminton.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, BAM President Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz stated that this extraordinary contribution was presented to recognise Ng as a two-time National Sportswoman of the Year (1975 and 1978), further cementing her position as a national sports icon.

Tengku Zafrul highlighted that Ng made history as the first Asian woman to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in badminton singles, as well as the first Malaysian female athlete to secure a Commonwealth gold medal at the 1978 Edmonton Games in Canada.

He expressed that he and the BAM Welfare Committee Chairman Datuk Ng Chin Chai were honoured to visit and exchange stories with Ng, whom he described as one of the pioneers of Malaysian women's badminton success.

"May Datuk Sylvia Ng's legacy continue to inspire the younger generation to value history, respect pioneers, and continue the struggle to bring glory to Malaysia. Legacy is not measured by medals alone, but by the path cleared for the next generation," he said via an Instagram post today.

In the same post, Tengku Zafrul clarified that the visit was made in light of media reports regarding issues with National Sportsman and Sportswoman rewards that went unreceived by several athletes from various sports, including for the years 1975 and 1978.

"While the matter falls outside the jurisdiction of BAM, the association has stepped forward to present this special contribution as a sign of recognition for Datuk Sylvia Ng's service and legacy to national sports," he said.