Newly turned independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia will begin training on his own as he prepares to contest at the upcoming Asia Team Championships (February 15-20) here in Malaysia.
Lee was back in his hometown in Alor Setar to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family, but returned to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to start preparing.
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“I will train on my own first. I didn’t receive any invitation from BAM to join the Asia Team training. As of now, I have not finalised my training team and coach yet, as I’m still in the process of negotiation.
“But 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,” he told The Star.
Lee’s well-publicized exit from the national body, where he tendered his resignation and got slapped with a two-year non-participation in any competition verdict before it later got overturned, meant his focus on competitions would only begin at the Asian meet.
Seeing that he had yet to sort out his own team and kick into his own gear, it remains to be seen how Lee would fare at this biennial meet where Malaysia finished second at the last edition.
The world number seven is coming off the back of several withdrawals in his last few tournaments due to a back injury, and later a huge blister at the World Championships.
Lee would be hoping to kick-off the year on a positive note, especially with him leading the national contingent’s charge as the first men’s singles player.
The draw for the tournament is set to take place on February 8.
The semi-finalists automatically qualify for the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals to be held in Bangkok in May.
There would only be eight teams competing at this event after Chinese Taipei and Thailand pulled out due to COVID-19 concerns.
China had previously said they won’t participate due to the strict coronavirus protocol in their country.
