Sports minister ready to play middleman role in thorny issue


IPOH: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (pic) will meet with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and Lee Zii Jia over the national No. 1’s resignation from the association.

Faizal said both the BAM and Zii Jia must diligently try to find a solution to the issue.

Yesterday, the national body decided to punish Zii Jia by announcing that they will not register the world No. 7 for any of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) tournaments for two years.

“In my opinion, the issue between BAM and Zii Jia is not something that the people and the supporters want at this time,” said Faizal.

“I will meet with both parties in the near future,” he said on his Facebook page yesterday.

“If the nation’s interest is prioritised, there will always be a solution.

“We should not risk the future of Malaysia’s players and position on the international stage,” he added.

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