Don’t be hasty in deciding on Zii Jia’s future – Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR: National badminton legend Datuk Rashid Sidek feels that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are wiser and more knowledgeable in determining the direction to be taken by national men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia’s after his poor display at three tournaments in Thailand.

He said there was no need for BAM to be hasty in making a decision but instead find a solution together with national men’s singles chief coach Hendrawan to boost Zii Jia’s reputation on the competitive stage.

“Indeed, (BAM) must review first instead of suddenly changing the coach. Currently, BAM have their own committee, namely, the coaching and training (C&T) committee.

“I feel it is good if BAM themselves decide whether the current coach is okay or not or (Zii Jia) must go back to (training under) Datuk Misbun Sidek.

“What is important is that there is discussion first as Misbun is still in BAM,” he told Bernama recently.

Rashid said this when commenting on the urgings of various parties that BAM take drastic measures, including appointing Misbun again to guide the national singles champion, in an effort to get Zii Jia back on track.

Zii Jia’s poor performances in the three meets in Thailand last month drew numerous criticisms, including those who questioned the credibility of Hendrawan for supposedly failing to have an impact on the shuttler’s style of play.

“It’s not easy to change the coach. So, for the moment focus on the training, obtain input why Zii Jia is not performing like before,” said Rashid, who also urged all quarters not to react to the situation but to give Zii Jia room to improve his performance.

The 22-year-old shuttler lost in the quarter-finals to second-seeded Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan in the Yonex Thai Open before going down in the first round of the Toyota Thailand Open to India’s Sameer Verman.

He then lost all three group matches at the BWF World Tour Finals, also in Bangkok, with his most disappointing performance being his meek 15-21, 4-21 capitulation to Viktor Axelsen in the second group match.

Zii Jia is scheduled to compete in three tournaments in Europe next month -- the Swiss Open, German Open and All England.