KUALA LUMPUR – National badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek and former Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) high-performance director Datuk James Selvaraj believe independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia can overcome his personal challenges and return to the world’s top 50, provided he remains focused on his game.
Speaking to Scoop, Razif said Zii Jia must draw confidence from his recent performances and avoid allowing the legal dispute involving his management company, LZJ Management Sdn Bhd, to derail his ambitions.
“What impresses me is his willingness to move forward despite the personal challenges he is facing. As a professional athlete, you will encounter difficulties both on and off the court, but what matters is how you manage them and continue working towards your goals,” Razif said.
Zii Jia recently reached the men’s singles semi-finals at the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, before losing to Denmark’s Anders Antonsen. He had earlier beaten second seed Christo Popov of France 21-11, 21-16 in the quarter-finals.
Razif described the run as encouraging, saying it showed that Zii Jia remained capable of competing at a high level.
“Reaching the semi-finals shows that he is still capable of competing at a good level. Of course, there is still work to be done, but I hope he can use that performance as motivation to keep improving,” he said.
Razif added that Zii Jia should allow the legal process to take its course while concentrating on his professional commitments.
“I hope he can put this difficult period behind him, regain his best form and continue moving towards his target,” he said.
James, meanwhile, believes Zii Jia has the ability to return to the top but must build on his recent progress and maintain a positive mindset.
The former BAM high-performance director said Zii Jia had previously shown the qualities needed to excel at the highest level, but differing advice from coaches had affected his confidence.
“I have mentioned before that his game was so complete and that he had everything required to be a badminton player. Different coaches were telling him different things, which caused him to lose confidence in his own ability,” James said.
He believes Zii Jia’s mindset has since begun to improve, making it important for the shuttler to maintain that progress despite the family dispute.
“There has been a slight change, and his mind seems clearer now. Unfortunately, the family issue has emerged. He should build on his performance at the Arctic Open and continue that momentum,” he said.
James also highlighted the importance of support as Zii Jia works towards regaining his place among the world’s leading players.
“He is currently the best player in our country. He needs to change his mindset, and Liew Daren has to build him up. Hopefully, the family issue can be settled. He has to focus on the Denmark Open,” he said.
James added that Zii Jia’s willingness to move forward and concentrate on badminton was a positive sign for his long-term career.
“He wants to forget his problems, and that is a good sign. With this mentality, he will be able to last longer,” he said.
Scoop reported on Oct 13 that Zii Jia preferred not to comment publicly on the legal proceedings for the time being, with sources from the badminton fraternity saying his priority was to focus on his career and his ambition to return to the world’s top 50.
The dispute centres on LZJ Management, with Zii Jia seeking a High Court injunction to prevent his father, Lee Chee Hin, and sister Lee Zii Yii from approving certain financial benefits for themselves beyond their monthly salaries or making significant corporate decisions without the court’s permission.
Scoop reported on Oct 12 that the application formed part of a wider dispute over the management and governance of the company.
In an originating summons filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 2, 2026, Zii Jia also sought an order to convene an extraordinary general meeting (EGM).
Court documents sighted by Scoop show that Zii Jia claims to hold 90 per cent of the company’s shares, while Zii Yii owns nine per cent and his younger brother, Lee Tao, holds the remaining one per cent. Chee Hin and Zii Yii are directors, with Zii Yii also managing her brother’s professional badminton career.
In his supporting affidavit, Zii Jia said an attempt to convene an EGM on Dec 22 last year could not proceed because the required quorum was not achieved.
The application is being contested by the respondents. In an affidavit in reply filed on Aug 6, Chee Hin disputed the need for court intervention, maintaining that the company had continued managing matters relating to his son’s professional badminton career.
A joint affidavit filed on behalf of Zii Yii and Tao also disputed the allegations and challenged the relief sought.
The court has yet to determine the application. – October 13, 2026