Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has called for improved training facilities for professional badminton players under the Road to Gold (RTG) programme. She hopes they can move to a more private and suitable venue instead of training in public places like shopping malls.

Two pro pairs, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani-Goh Sze Fei (men’s doubles) and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai (mixed doubles), officially joined the RTG programme earlier this week and currently train at a badminton facility in Endah Parade.

RTG coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam is working closely with the independent players to finalise better training arrangements. Yeoh added that support from the National Sports Institute and approved travel expenses for overseas tournaments will also be provided.

Joint-training sessions between independent and BAM players are expected to continue, ensuring all athletes get quality sparring partners.

Yeoh also addressed the uncertain status of women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, who may leave BAM to turn professional. She urged BAM to resolve the issue quickly and assured that RTG will continue supporting the duo, who have already shown recent improvements.

Yeoh made the remarks after speaking at the 2025 ASEAN Persons with Disabilities in Sports Conference in Putrajaya, which aimed to empower the disabled community through sports. Over 250 regional and local representatives attended the two-day event from June 20 to 21.