KUALA LUMPUR — The National Sports Institute (NSI) has yet to receive any official request from independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia for medical or sports science assistance ahead of the upcoming Thomas Cup.
However, the institute confirmed it is ready to provide all necessary services free of charge should he choose to approach them.
Speaking to Scoop, NSI chief executive officer Dr Vellapandian Ponnusamy said Zii Jia, who is currently under his own setup, Team LZJ, had visited the institute earlier this year for a routine medical consultation.
Vellapandian’s comments came after it was reported that Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman Lee Chong Wei revealed that Zii Jia had set several conditions for the Thomas Cup, including support from NSI for injury recovery and access to sports science services.
“There is no official request from his team saying they want medical treatment or sports science services,” Vellapandian said when contacted.
“We are very open, and there are no charges at all. As long as he represents the country, he can walk into NSI anytime, and we will provide whatever services are required.”
Vellapandian added that since Zii Jia is not part of the Road to Gold Programme, the institute does not maintain detailed records of his medical or physiotherapy sessions.
“He comes and visits whenever he wants. We don’t have a proper record because he is not under the programme,” he explained.
According to Vellapandian, Zii Jia’s last visit in January was a standard consultation for medical advice and check-ups.
“He just wanted some advice — a normal medical consultation. No sports science services have been provided so far,” he confirmed.
He stressed that NSI support remains available for any national athlete representing Malaysia in overseas tournaments.
“If Zii Jia approaches us in the coming days, we will give him full respect and provide all services based on his needs,” Vellapandian said.
“We will give him first priority as well. There will be no extra charges because he is a national athlete.”
On Friday, Chong Wei met Zii Jia at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara to discuss his potential involvement in the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3.
Chong Wei revealed that the 27-year-old had tabled several terms and requested a week to decide, with a final answer expected by Friday.
“There are several terms that we have discussed, and we have already given our response to him. I have also discussed the matter with the BAM president, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz, and council members. We have new management now, and we shall see what we can offer Zii Jia,” Chong Wei was quoted as saying.
He described the meeting as “smooth and constructive” but acknowledged that time is short as BAM finalises its squad list for submission to the Badminton World Federation.
Chong Wei believes Zii Jia’s inclusion would strengthen Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge, with the team expected to field four singles players and three doubles pairs in Horsens. — February 24, 2026