By Wahida Fitriah
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 January 2022: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has confirmed that national shuttler Lee Zii Jia resigned last week, but the decision whether they will accept it or not will be announced at a press conference on Friday (21 January), according to daily news reports.
BAM President, Tan Sri Norza Zakaria said that a series of meetings had been conducted since Lee Zii Jia tendered his resignation.
However, the attempts to persuade him to stay have been a futile effort.
œWe see Zii Jia as an asset and we tried to persuade him (to stay) because we have groomed him since he was 13, said Norza.
œNow that he has reached this stage, winning the All-England, we certainly didnt want to lose him because he has a bright future, he added.
œWe want to take him to greater heights and be successful as Lee Chong Wei, Norza said.
œHowever, he told us that hes no Lee Chong Wei and he cannot cope with the pressure, Norza added.
According to Norza, a Council meeting was held last Monday in to discuss the problem and it is stated that they have come up with a decision.
Datuk Seri Dr. Jahaberdeen (Mohamed Yunoos), the deputy president has been appointed to look into the matter.
In addition, the press conference will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday.
The action taken by BAM remained to be seen because if Lee Zii Jia is allowed to leave, there will be further ramifications.
Lee Zii Jia, on the other hand, aware that if he leaves, he will face the consequence as BAM reserves the right to bar him from competing.
According to a clause, it is stated that players who quit the national team œprematurely will face sanction.
Only those aged 29 who have competed in all five major tournaments – the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, SEA Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics will be excluded. ***
Source: The Star