PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are expected to extend their collaboration with professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia (pic) beyond preparations for the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark, in April.
BAM secretary Datuk Kenny Goh said discussions are ongoing not only with Zii Jia but also with several other professional players to strengthen the national squad, who will also compete in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September.
He added that the plan is part of a longer term strategy leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics to ensure Malaysia field their strongest possible line-up.
“We have held discussions with Zii Jia and all the professional players, not just for the Thomas Cup but up to the 2028 Olympic Games,” he said after a working committee meeting with the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil.
“They may join centralised training sessions and possibly attend selection trials. We are open to working together to form the strongest team.’’
Kenny added that BAM are planning to hold a centralised training camp for the Asian Games similar to the Thomas Cup set-up, although the location has yet to be finalised.
For the Thomas-Uber Cups, the national squad will depart early for Denmark and hold a 10-day centralised camp there, which is expected to include Zii Jia, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Goh Jin Wei and men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
However, BAM are still finalising Zii Jia’s participation in training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara ahead of the Thomas Cup.
“He did mention that he would try to join training earlier before the Thomas Cup, but there has been no confirmation yet,” he added.
During the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, BAM also called up Zii Jia to strengthen the team event, but the national squad suffered a first round exit at the hands of South Korea.
Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik salvaged some pride in Hangzhou by clinching bronze in the individual event.
