Zii Jia left training camp with permission, fully focused on Finals

KUALA LUMPUR: Independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia (pic) admitted that he skipped a few days of centralised training camp due to personal issues.

But the 24-year-old returned to Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) on the final day of the team training yesterday with a promise that he will lead the team to his best ability in the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok from May 8-15.

It’s not usual for a player to skip a team camp but Zii Jia said his request to miss several activities since Tuesday afternoon was accepted by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) high performance director Tim Jones.

He did not take part in the simulation match and team-building activities in the afternoon.

“Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi also did not show up today, so I don’t think missing centralised training is a problem. Nothing much to comment about it really,” said Zii Jia after the training session.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi, who have been attending the training camp faithfully, had no choice but to skip the morning session yesterday due to a compulsory swab test, which had been arranged for them.

“I have my personal issues and that’s why I’ve asked BAM’s permission to be flexible with me. I’m here today, so that shows I’m committed (to the team duty),” said Zii Jia, who chose to train at another venue the last few days.

Zii Jia said his absence did not in any way disrupt the team’s unity.

“It’s the last day of the camp and the team spirit is still the same. It has been basically the same team from the qualifying tournament and we are as motivated as before,” he said.

As the curtain came down on the last day of the camp, the players were seen huddled together in a circle and repeatedly shouted “Malaysia Boleh”.

“Malaysia Boleh is our slogan, which we used at the Asia Team championships too (where Malaysia went on to win),” said Zii Jia.

“Some of us will compete in the Asia Championships next week (in Manila) and we will have one more week to prepare for the Thomas Cup Finals. We will be ready.”

Zii Jia, who was the team captain at the last edition where Malaysia lost to Indonesia in the quarter-finals in Denmark last year, wants to live up to his role as the first singles.

“My task is to win the first point for the team, that’s the goal and focus.”

On his debut Asian meet, the 2021 All-England champion said: “Most of the top players will be there. It will be tough and the quality of the tournament will be high. I want to perform well in my first Asian meet,” added Zii Jia, who skipped the last Asian meet in 2019.