KUALA LUMPUR – The National Sports Council (NSC) today announced that Lee Zii Jia has decided not to proceed with the Road to Gold programme.
The high-performance programme’s secretariat today met online with Team LZJ, represented by Zii Jia’s sister and manager Lee Zii Yii and coaches Wong Tat Meng and Liew Darren.
“Team LZJ explained that the decision was made after careful consideration and internal consultation, and Zii Jia will not require the top-up services offered by the RTG programme.
“However, Zii Jia’s management assured that they will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics next year,” the RTG secretariat said in a statement today.
The world number 11 is currently in Japan, preparing for his first-round match against Denmark’s Anders Antonsen at the Kumamoto Masters tomorrow.
Last month, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh revealed that the former All England champion is the only athlete listed in the programme who has yet to sign the Letter of Commitment (LoC), which is a mandatory requirement set by the RTG committee.
The agreement is a prerequisite in exchange for the benefits and services provided to the athletes under the elite programme in the nation’s pursuit of gold at the 2024 Paris and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
RTG coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam said previously that Zii Jia has received sports science services twice under the programme, despite not signing the LoC.
However, the stipulated additional funds and allowances will not be provided until Zii Jia signs the agreement.
He was given until today to sign the LoC.
The RTG programme was launched in March of this year to give “top-up services” for high-performance athletes who are viewed as having the potential to end Malaysia’s quest for Olympic gold.
The programme also looked to remove any bureaucratic roadblocks that hinder elite athletes from having access to resources that they need to excel. – November 14, 2023