Badminton Association Clarifies New 8-Year Sponsor Deal, Victor Dispute

Following news about the Badminton Association of Thailand selecting a new sponsor on an eight-year contract to replace Victor — which had announced a split just five months earlier — the Badminton Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage has officially clarified its sponsor selection process and efforts to protect the interests of the association and its athletes.

Amid reports and commentary about the association's administration that contain inaccuracies, the organization states it has undergone significant changes in management and operational approach, now centering on athletes and clubs. It maintains a clear policy that budgets and sponsorship funds for athlete and club development must be used transparently, accountably, and strictly for their intended purposes.

To ensure correct understanding, the association addresses each allegation:

1. Financial status, construction burden, and sponsorship fund policy Before starting construction of a new association building and training facility, the association set a policy that construction financing must not affect budgets for administration, athlete development, competition organization, or sending athletes to tournaments. The project broke ground on August 17, 2024, with a publicized construction budget of approximately 220 million baht (excluding furnishings), split between 110 million baht from association funds and 110 million baht from a declared sponsor. However, as of October 28, 2026, the association had not received the pledged sponsorship while construction continued with ongoing costs. The association therefore had to secure alternative funding to continue construction while maintaining athlete support and regular operations, without relying solely on the promised sponsorship. The association confirms that under the current executive committee, all expenditures require committee approval with clear designation of purpose, amount, and alignment with budget objectives, accompanied by transparent, auditable financial records.

2. Negotiations with Victor and joint announcement Initial coordination and negotiations with Victor were conducted by individuals not authorized by the current association leadership. The association president and secretary had not received the full contract for review before the joint announcement on May 7, 2026, which was merely a symbolic public relations gesture indicating future collaboration. Later, when the president and secretary received the full contract on May 20, 2026, they found numerous conditions that, if accepted, would significantly disadvantage the association — particularly clauses affecting athletes' rights, their personal sponsors, clubs, and other sponsors, and potentially impacting Thailand's national team operations.