Lee Jan Jireh.—AZMAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Professional men’s singles player Lee Jan Jireh has turned down an offer from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to return to the national squad.
In a post on his social media, Jan Jireh expressed his appreciation for the invitation but said he was more comfortable pursuing his career independently.
"Firstly, I want to sincerely thank the national team for offering me a spot again. It's a true honor, and I'm deeply grateful for the trust and belief shown in me.
"After a lot of thought, I’ve decided to continue my journey independently for now.
"This wasn't an easy decision, but I want to keep growing, learning, and giving my absolute best every single day," said Jan Jireh.
The 21-year-old was previously part of the national set-up but was dropped in October 2024 along with several other players, including Jacky Kok, Anna Cheong, and Siti Nurshuhaini Azman.
He had almost retired after finishing as runner-up at the Malaysian International Challenge last year, but later reconsidered and now competes professionally under Sports Affairs, managed by Nova Armada.
Despite choosing the professional path, Jan Jireh remains committed to supporting his fellow national players and contributing to Malaysia’s success on the international stage.
"National team or not, I hope we can all keep pushing each other, inspiring one another, and making our country proud," he said.
The men’s singles squad are now led by Datuk Tey Seu Bock and comprise five senior players: Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, Eogene Ewe, Kong Zhou Swin, Kok Wei Xiang and Ng Tze Yong, who is still recovering from a back injury.
