Source:REUTERS/Ann Wang
[Saba Sports News] Lee Chong Wei, chairman of the Malaysian Badminton Association’s Performance Committee, said LEE Zii Jia will rejoin the Malaysian national badminton team this week to take part in Thomas Cup joint training. He is likely to serve as the third singles; the immediate priority is to recover from injuries and rebuild confidence. Lee said this task will be jointly planned by Malaysia’s head singles coach director Jens Eriksen, men’s singles head coach Datuk Tey Seu Bock, and Lee Zii Jia’s private coach Daren Liew, to help the player reach his best form before the Thomas Cup begins on April 24 in Horsens, Denmark. According to the plan, Lee Zii Jia will join the national team training on April 1 and prepare alongside other recently reported free-agent players, including Sholeh Aidil, the men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei.
The editor notes that although Lee Zii Jia’s current world ranking is relatively low and his form has not fully recovered after recent ankle and back injuries, he is a former Olympic bronze medalist and All England Open Badminton Championships champion with big-tournament experience and the ability to handle crucial points. For the Malaysian association, his return can help steady the team’s morale.