Jayce
Lee Zijia, the free agent, has chosen not to hire an exclusive coach despite a recent decline in performance at the beginning of this year, prompting comments and suggestions from various badminton legends. He expressed respect for their opinions but currently has no plans to hire a new coach.
Lee Zijia, former All England champion, parted ways with Indonesian coach Tan Kiat Hin in November last year. Competing solo, he exited in the first or second round at the Malaysia Super 1000, India Super 750, and Indonesia Super 500 tournaments.
Since leaving the Malaysian national badminton team in January last year to become a free agent, Lee Zijia won the Asian Championship and Thailand Super 500 under Tan Kiat Hin’s guidance.
However, regarding suggestions from former national badminton men’s singles coach Rashid Sidek and other legends to rehire a new coach, Lee Zijia reaffirmed his previous decision. The 24-year-old Lee said, “Firstly, regarding the comments and suggestions from all legends. It’s not that I don’t want to respond, or that I don’t respect these legendary opinions. I respect them and accept their advice. However, I cannot respond to each one, as there are too many comments one after another, and I don’t have the time, nor do I think it’s the right thing to do.”
Lee Zijia emphasized that he only wants to focus on the present: “I will solve what needs to be done in front of me. Honestly, I don’t have plans to find a new coach at the moment. I will do my best with what I currently have.”
