KUALA LUMPUR — Former internationals and leading pundits believe Malaysia will struggle to secure a podium finish at next month’s Sudirman Cup without Lee Zii Jia in the squad.
On Monday, Team LZJ confirmed that Zii Jia successfully secured a protected ranking from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to nurse an ankle injury sustained at the World Tour Finals last December.
Under BWF regulations, players granted a protected ranking cannot compete for a minimum of three months and up to 12 months, or until they notify BWF of their return. If they fail to do so, the ranking is nullified.
With his protected ranking now in effect, Zii Jia is ineligible for the Sudirman Cup, which takes place from April 27 to May 4 in Xiamen, China. The 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medallist had already withdrawn from the Asian Championships in Ningbo, scheduled earlier next month.
Malaysian badminton legend and former national coach Datuk Rashid Sidek told Scoop that despite the presence of men’s doubles former world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, and top mixed doubles players like Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, Malaysia will struggle without a strong singles player.
“Yes, we have Leong Jun Hao, who has pulled off a few upsets in the past, but we cannot rely on that. We can’t go into a tie hoping for an upset because, realistically, Jun Hao is not at that level yet. He will be facing top-ranked singles players in most matches.
“Our doubles players are also not at their best, with the ongoing partnership tension between Tang Jie and Ee Wei, and Aaron and Wooi Yik’s dip in form,” Rashid added.
Former England international and pundit Ben Beckman echoed these concerns, telling Scoop: “Without Zii Jia, Malaysia’s medal hopes have dropped.
“Losing him is a huge blow because he often produces big performances in team events. Leong and Justin (Hoh) have shown promise, but Zii Jia leaves a significant gap in the singles department.”
With Zii Jia in the squad, Malaysia secured bronze in the last two editions of the Sudirman Cup, in 2021 and 2023. — March 27, 2025