World No 1 rips into BAM over Zii Jia’s 2-year ban
Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen has lent his support to rival Lee Zii Jia. (YonexAllEngland Twitter pic)
GEORGE TOWN: Men’s singles world No 1 Viktor Axelsen and a former deputy minister today ripped into the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) two-year ban on national shuttler Lee Zii Jia.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion took to Twitter, describing Zii Jia’s predicament with a euphemism of a disgruntled worker who left his job but was later banned by the employer from working anywhere else.
“Just listen how crazy this is. This is year 2022. Is this what we want for our sport?” the Danish player tweeted.
Zii Jia, the country’s No 1 men’s singles player, announced his resignation from BAM earlier this week. In response, BAM announced today that he will be banned from representing the country in international tournaments for two years effective Jan 18.
GEORGE TOWN: Men’s singles world No 1 Viktor Axelsen and a former deputy minister today ripped into the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) two-year ban on national shuttler Lee Zii Jia.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion took to Twitter, describing Zii Jia’s predicament with a euphemism of a disgruntled worker who left his job but was later banned by the employer from working anywhere else.
“Just listen how crazy this is. This is year 2022. Is this what we want for our sport?” the Danish player tweeted.
Zii Jia, the country’s No 1 men’s singles player, announced his resignation from BAM earlier this week. In response, BAM announced today that he will be banned from representing the country in international tournaments for two years effective Jan 18.
Steven Sim.
Former deputy youth and sports minister Steven Sim said Zii Jia’s ban by his own country is “drastic and unjustified”.
Sim told FMT that the move was “very unhealthy” and appeared to be a warning shot at others who plan to leave the national body.
He said BAM should sit down with the world No 7 to ask what went wrong instead of resorting to such tactics.
“There is something wrong when the No 1 player in the country calls it quits. BAM as well as the youth and sports ministry must find out why.
“There is no need to kill off his career. I’m afraid this kind of ‘warning’ is a sign to others not to go against their authority,” Sim said, adding that it was not the way to resolve any internal problems and grouses.
“All must sit down and reconcile. That is the best thing to do when top athletes decide to leave.”
Meanwhile, former national shuttler James Selvaraj said BAM should explain why Zii Jia was banned to prevent speculation and contempt against the association.
Similarly, he said Zii Jia should come out to explain his stand and plans, for he owes an explanation to all as the country’s No 1 player.
James said in BAM’s defence, they helped nurture Zii Jia and badminton great Lee Chong Wei, and provided their players state of the art training facilities.
“So, is it the money? Is it the training facility? It’s in everybody’s mind. What was Zii Jia’s problem?” he questioned.
“With the ban, it has put both BAM and Zii Jia at disrepute, as everyone will start speculating on what caused the ban and what made Zii Jia leave.”
Another legendary shuttler, Ng Boon Bee, said Zii Jia should return to BAM, given the two-year ban would likely reduce his performance drastically.
“If he thinks he is pro enough, and can manage on his own, then fine. Or else, best to return to BAM,” he said.
“I’ve heard rumours about him going to train in Dubai. There is no doubt BAM have the best facilities. Zii Jia better decide quickly.”
Former deputy youth and sports minister Steven Sim said Zii Jia’s ban by his own country is “drastic and unjustified”.
Sim told FMT that the move was “very unhealthy” and appeared to be a warning shot at others who plan to leave the national body.
He said BAM should sit down with the world No 7 to ask what went wrong instead of resorting to such tactics.
“There is something wrong when the No 1 player in the country calls it quits. BAM as well as the youth and sports ministry must find out why.
“There is no need to kill off his career. I’m afraid this kind of ‘warning’ is a sign to others not to go against their authority,” Sim said, adding that it was not the way to resolve any internal problems and grouses.
“All must sit down and reconcile. That is the best thing to do when top athletes decide to leave.”
Meanwhile, former national shuttler James Selvaraj said BAM should explain why Zii Jia was banned to prevent speculation and contempt against the association.
Similarly, he said Zii Jia should come out to explain his stand and plans, for he owes an explanation to all as the country’s No 1 player.
James said in BAM’s defence, they helped nurture Zii Jia and badminton great Lee Chong Wei, and provided their players state of the art training facilities.
“So, is it the money? Is it the training facility? It’s in everybody’s mind. What was Zii Jia’s problem?” he questioned.
“With the ban, it has put both BAM and Zii Jia at disrepute, as everyone will start speculating on what caused the ban and what made Zii Jia leave.”
Another legendary shuttler, Ng Boon Bee, said Zii Jia should return to BAM, given the two-year ban would likely reduce his performance drastically.
“If he thinks he is pro enough, and can manage on his own, then fine. Or else, best to return to BAM,” he said.
“I’ve heard rumours about him going to train in Dubai. There is no doubt BAM have the best facilities. Zii Jia better decide quickly.”
Wrong analogy Mr Denmark.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sponsor vs sponsee case.
A Dane shouldn't interfere in Malaysia's internal affairs..... I thought there was a large group of people who fervently believe in that principle.....wakakaka....
ReplyDeleteMfer, u should seriously consider about that domestic violence is private internal affair!
DeleteSo don't u dare make a police report when u kena abuses by yr other half. Maybe even by yr children!
Wakakakakaka…
Serve u right in drawing such a fine distinction about interference!
Yes, your wonderful People's Republic of China is conducting severely brutal and nasty domestic violence in Xinjiang and Tibet.
DeleteYet it is telling the rest of the world to fuck off, it is nobody's business.
Wakakakaka…
DeleteBlurred fart of inconsequential!
1st - prove yr farts of "conducting severely brutal and nasty domestic violence in Xinjiang and Tibet" with substantiated FACTS. Not just those known orchestrated & fabricated c&p lies.
2nd - non interference polemic has multiple moral foundations. Each foundations MUST be factually correct & could stand on its own circumstantial arguments.
Thus, that domestic violence that I have quoted vis-a-vis yr chanted international fake cries based on self-serving politic-correctness built upon fabricated lies!
Mmmm… guess yr know-nothingness COULDN'T make the head & tail of yr SIMPLE fart!