Independent shuttler Zii Jia and Co return to ABM as attire issue resolved

PETALING JAYA: Professional singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia will return to Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) for Asian Games centralised training as his apparel issue has been settled.

Zii Jia and several other independent shuttlers will begin their sessions with Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) players from Sept 19-23 at the academy in Bukit Kiara in preparation for the Games in Hangzhou, China.

ABM director of administration Michelle Chai said all the payers, including Zii Jia, will be provided with training attires by BAM that do not bear brands or logos to avoid any sponsorship conflicts.

“All the payers will be attending the centralised training and Zii Jia has requested to attend a few days later. They will also be provided with training attires without brands or logos which will avoid any sponsorship issues,” said Michelle.

Zii Jia and his coach Wong Tat Meng had raised an issue on BAM’s ruling before the World Championships in Copenhagen where players were not allowed to wear apparels from direct rivals of the national body’s sponsor Yonex.

With neutral training apparels being provided by BAM, Zii Jia and Co should not have any problems attending the training for the sake of Malaysia and the objectives of wining medals at the Asian Games.

National doubles director of coaching Rexy Mainaky believes the presence of Zii Jia will be crucial for team event at Asiad.

Rexy believes that despite Zii Jia’s struggles on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) tour, his track record in team events is good and that factor will help in Malaysia’s cause in search of a medal in Hangzhou where the badminton competition will be held from Sept 28-Oct 7.

Zii Jia led the team as the first singles during the Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, China, in May where he remained unbeaten in four matches and helped Malaysia reach the semi-finals.

He also had played in the Asian Mixed Team Championships in Dubai in February where his only defeat was to H.S. Prannoy of India in Malaysia’s run to the quarter-finals.

The world No. 14 has been knocked out in the preliminary rounds of 11 tournaments but managed to reach the semis at the All England, Swiss and Australia Opens but Rexy reckons the shuttler will be able to play his part in the team event.

“Although there is no discussion on the line-up for Hangzhou, we need a player of Zii Jia’s experience for the Asian Games team event,” said Rexy.

“His performance has been good in team events before and we know that he is trying to get his rhythm back under Wong Tat Meng in the BWF tour events. I hope he can do well at the Hong Kong and also the Asian Games.

“We need players who have the mental strength and Zii Jia have proven this in team events.”

BAM shuttler Ng Tze Yong has also been showing progress and will be a good bet as the second singles while Leong Jun Hao or Cheam June Wei should be playing as the third singles.

The doubles department look more settled as Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, independent pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun can be depended on.