PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are open to helping independent men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia (pic).
Zii Jia posted a series of cryptic images on his Instagram five days ago which included a stitched-up figure holding a blood-stained needle, raising concern about his mental wellbeing.
While the National Sports Council (NSC) have allayed fears that the 27-year-old was suffering from mental or personal problems after contacting Team LZJ, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said that the national body were willing to extend a helping hand if Zii Jia needed it.
“As the badminton governing body in Malaysia, we are concerned about all players. We know that many have contacted Zii Jia to ask about his posts including NSC,” said Kenny at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
“If Zii Jia needs help and support, we are willing to help him if we have the expertise.”
Zii Jia has had a difficult year, only managing to compete in the Orleans Masters and All-England in Match so far after suffering a right ankle ligament injury during the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last December.
The Paris Olympics bronze medallist lost to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in the Orleans Masters last eight and went down to Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long in the All-England first round.
Zii Jia later said that he had rushed his comeback after aggravating his injury.
He planned to make his return in the US Open last month but had to delay his comeback, citing he had not fully recovered.
Zii Jia has also withdrawn from the Japan Open from July 15-20 in Tokyo and it’s still unknown when he will return to competitions.
Meanwhile, another men’s singles player Ng Tze Yong ‘s surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee has been successful.
Tze Yong underwent the operation at Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha on Monday and will now go through about four weeks of rehabilitation there before returning to Malaysia to continue his recovery.
“Surgery done and feeling love from the incredible staff, especially those from Malaysia,” said Tze Yong via Instagram.
“Big thanks to BAM and National Sports Institute (NSI) for the ultimate support throughout this process. Now, it’s time to lock in and do the real work.”
