KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 ― He is known as the gentleman of badminton for his quiet demeanour and determination to solve problems, where possible, by pleasing all parties.

Now Tan Sri Mohammed Al Amin Abdul Majid, who has served BA of Malaysia (BAM) for over 20 years in various capacities, including secretary and deputy president, is ready to go for the top post in the national badminton body.

The BAM executive council meets today in Kuching to decide on the date of its next elections.

Unlike many other sports bodies who have a nomination date for those who want to run for office, BAM’s style is for persons to be nominated from the floor on the day of the elections.

Indications are Al Amin and his protege Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria will be the two fighting for the post.

"I have served BAM since 1994 and I feel the time is right for me to go for the top post,” said Al Amin, who has been acting president since October 18, 2015.

"I’ve been secretary, chairman of the coaching and training committee, technical committee, championships and tournament committees among others.

"So I understand the running of BAM on so many levels. That, I believe, makes me the right person for the job.

"Moreover, I’ve been acting president for nearly 18 months. I have unfinished business and hope to be given the chance to complete it.”

Chief on his mind is winning a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics.

"We did very well last year in Rio by winning three silver medals. We had more representatives in the finals than even China. But sadly, we could not win  gold,” said Al Amin, who was the Rio Games chef de mission.

"Of course, some people would say it was nothing. But there is no pleasing the critics. Even if we had won three gold medals, they would probably ask why not five gold medals?

"I believe we are on the right track to do well in Tokyo. We have put programmes in place which will see more of our players start to play in the Superseries tournaments.”

He believes by playing more matches against the top shuttlers will only improve Malaysia’s chances in Tokyo.

In the pipeline is a memorandum of understanding with Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea for an exchange programme.

"Junior players from all four countries will travel to play against each other. This is to expose them to the different styles from a young age," said Al Amin.

"This way, they won’t be afraid when they meet them later on in the professional circuit.”

As for the elections, Al Amin who is standing in for Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff, who has taken a leave of absence due to illness, denied he was party to any "gentleman’s agreement” to make way for Norza.

"I was only made aware of the agreement recently. I don’t mind accepting criticism when people say I should honour the agreement as I don’t want to get other people involved. But I was not party to any agreement to begin with,” he said.

"BAM is not a political party. We are not here to play politics. We are here to serve the sport.

"I don’t want there to be a division if I were to win. We must do what’s best for badminton.

"If the affiliates don’t want me, I will be the first to congratulate Norza. No hard feelings. I hope it will be the same if I were to win.

"All I ask for is a gentlemanly contest with no mudslinging. That’s not my style. But If forced too, the gloves will come off and I’ll fight for the post.”

Al Amin revealed he brought Norza to BAM in 2012 after the Umno politician was looking for a way to rebrand himself after being acquitted of money politics three years earlier.

"I was already a deputy president at that time and had no qualms of bringing him into BAM as he is a tireless worker,” said Al Amin.

"This is proven by his involvement in so many other associations — Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), National Sports Institute, Federal Territory Sports Council and until recently, FA of Malaysia.

"Whether this is a good thing or not is for the delegates to decide. Is he stretching himself too thin?

"Also, there are rumours he wants to be OCM president. I don’t think that’s right. You can be president of national bodies but you shouldn’t mix that with the governing body. There might be a conflict of interest.

"I’ve said many times I have no issue with ambition and he is an ambitious man.

"But he has to state his intentions. Will it benefit BAM if he is involved in so many other associations?”

Al Amin also suggested a compromise.

"I don’t mind being president and he can stay as deputy. We make a good combination.

"I’m known as the diplomatic one. He is known as the one who is hard. I can be the good cop and he can be the bad one,” joked Al Amin.