Out for a fresh start

Bonding time: Lee Zii Jia with his pet dog Bruce.

PETALING JAYA: A short and relaxing time in Kedah is good enough for Lee Zii Jia to attempt to make a roaring return at the Asia Team Championships.

The 23-year-old Zii Jia spent five fruitful days with his family and pet dog Bruce in Alor Setar during the Chinese New Year celebration and returned to Kuala Lumpur yesterday, fresh to begin his career as an independent player.

The world No. 7 Zii Jia is the only independent player named in the squad for the Asia meet, which will be held at the Setia Convention Centre in Shah Alam from Feb 15-20.

The others in the team are Ng Tze Yong, Leong Jun Hao, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Lim Chong King and Jacky Kok (singles) and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (doubles).

The team’s goal is to reach at least a top four-finish to confirm their ticket for the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok in May. The Asia team event serves as a qualifier for the prestigious world team event.

“I’ve had a few good days back at home and returned earlier to sort out my training session for the Asia meet,” said Zii Jia, who was happy that he also got to spent quite a bit of time with childhood pet Bruce, a Golden Retriever.

The All-England champion Zii Jia needed the time away after going through an emotional rollercoaster ride following his recent decision to quit the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), which did not go according to his plan at first.

The national body served him with a two-year sanction but fortunately after six days of stressful events, he was eventually given the blessing to play as an independent player following an appeal and with the interference from different parties, especially his fans on social media.

Now that all has been cleared, Zii Jia will start training on his own for the team event. He has not finalised on who will be his coach, physical trainer and sparring partners.

“I will train on my own first. I didn’t receive any invitation from BAM to join the Asia Team training,” he said.

“I’ve not finalised my training team and coach yet, as I’m still in the process of negotiation.”

On his role as the first singles player, Zii Jia said he would only give the best for the team.

“I’m glad to be part of the team. I will continue to train here in Malaysia and give my best in every match that I get to play,” said Zii Jia.

He may cross swords with No. 1 players like Kento Momota of Japan, Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan, Anthony Ginting of Indonesia, K. Srikanth of India, Loh Kean Yew of Singapore, Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, Heo Kwang-hee of South Korea, depending on the draw, which will be conducted on Feb 8.

At the last qualifier in Manila in 2020, Zii Jia won all his matches except against Anthony in the final between Malaysia and Indonesia. Malaysia eventually lost 1-3, and the solitary point was won by Cheam June Wei, who defeated Jonatan Christie in the second singles.