ZII JIA GOES TO INDIA AFTER BAM U-TURN
All England champion needs good seeding for Olympics
THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) have made a U-turn on their previous decision by registering Lee Zii Jia for the India Open on May 11-16. The national body concluded that it was important for the 23year-old shuttler to compete in New Delhi to secure a good seeding for the Tokyo Olympics in July.
Just last week, BAM announced that the reigning All England champion would skip the Super 500 tournament to focus on training and preparation for the Malaysia Open on May 25-30.
However, the decision was reversed when BAM realised that it was crucial for Zii Jia to break into the top eight of the Race to Tokyo list to secure a good seeding for the Olympics.
Currently, the Kedah-born is ranked No 9 on the list.
Previously, seedings were determined by world rankings, but due to Covid-19, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) will instead draw up the seedings based on the Race to Tokyo list.
The Singapore Open on June 16 will be the last World Tour event to offer Olympic qualifying points.
“We have submitted Zii Jia’s name for the India Open,” disclosed BAM coaching director Wong Choong Hann.
“Initially, we wanted to rest him, but then we realised that he can still fight to be eighth seed at the Olympics.
“It could mean something.” Meanwhile, Zii Jia and Swiss Open women’s doubles players
Pearly Tan and M.Thinaah had a special audience with Yang diPertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah at Istana Negara yesterday.
Zii Jia presented his All England winning racquet to their
Majesties, while Pearly-Thinnah showed their Swiss Open winning plaque.
Also invited for hi-tea were Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, BAM president, Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, the rest who played at the All England and BAM's coaching staff.