Is Zii Jia returning to BAM’s fold?

 

National men’s singles professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia is set to have a meeting with youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh about his future. (AP Pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Rumours have been swirling that national men’s singles professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia is set to rejoin the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

The rumour mill went into overdrive after BAM president Norza Zakaria uploaded photographs on social media of him meeting the 25-year-old shuttler several times recently.

However, Norza, when contacted by Bernama, said the two had met by chance at a restaurant.

He refused to comment whether the 2021 All England champion would rejoin the national body.

“For now, no comment. I bumped into him twice, they were not planned. Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh also wants to meet him … I’m waiting to see what will be the outcome of that meeting,” he said.

Local media recently reported that Zii Jia might rejoin BAM after the ministry’s Road To Gold (RTG) committee is said to be trying to get the shuttler to return to the national body.

Norza, who is also Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, confirmed that an official meeting with the shuttler, who hails from Alor Setar, Kedah, would be arranged through the RTG programme.

The RTG is jointly chaired by Norza and Yeoh.

“We will see his (Zii Jia’s) requirements,” he said briefly.

Yeoh had said that she would hold a meeting with Zii Jia when he returned from a series of tournaments in Europe to help the shuttler regain his form.

Commenting on Zii Jia’s performance at the All England and Swiss Open, Norza said the Asian champion seemed to have found his rhythm and should be given time to do even better.

Zii Jia crashed out in the semi-finals of the All England and Swiss Open – losing 19-21, 13-21 to China’s Shi Yu Qi and 11-21, 14-21 to Japan’s Koki Watanabe respectively. - FMT