KUALA LUMPUR – Independent men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia hinted strongly again today that he will feature for Malaysia in the Thomas Cup.
Speaking to the Chinese media after his win over Chou Tien-chen at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo today, Zii Jia said that he has never missed a team competition for Malaysia.
He added that his management is looking out for his best interests and will support all aspects of his decision.
“I hope that I will be able to participate (in the Thomas Cup), my team is still in discussion and I will leave that to them.
“After the Thomas Cup, I will join tournaments in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India and Australia… that is a lot of tournaments.
“My team is doing their best to work things out (with the Badminton Association of Malaysia) and I hope the outcome is best for every party,” Zii Jia told CGTN Sports Scene in a video on its X account.
Previously, Scoop reported that Zii Jia’s management, represented by his sister Lee Zii Yii and coach Wong Tat Meng, informed national coaching director Rexy Mainaky that the world number 11’s tournament load would be overwhelming if he participated in the team competition.
As Ng Tze Yong is still battling a back injury, the national body has resorted to roping in Cheam June Wei to potentially address the problem in the men’s singles department.
The deadline for Thomas Cup registration is on Saturday and today Rexy told Bernama that the squad “may be announced on Friday (tomorrow)”. – April 11, 2024