Source: REUTERS/VCG
[Saba Sports News] Recently, Malaysia’s top badminton player, Lee Zii Jia, posted several black-and-white illustrations on his social media, but without any captions, which caused concern among fans and netizens, leading to speculation that he might be suffering from depression. In response, the Malaysian National Sports Council refuted the claim that Lee Zii Jia had depression. They stated that the council and Youth and Sports Minister Yeo Bee Yin had contacted Lee’s team, who assured them there was nothing to worry about, and that neither his team nor his friends had observed any signs of mental or personal issues. Although this incident has been clarified, Lee has indeed faced significant pressure in the past, such as being criticized for refusing to cooperate with the Malaysian Badminton Association, facing criticism over declining performance, and dealing with injuries — all of which could have affected his mental state. This highlights the immense pressure faced by athletes, and it reflects the need for more societal attention and support to help them better manage stress and maintain their physical and mental health.