NATIONAL interests should take priority in efforts to resolve the dispute between the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and national top men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia, Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said.

He said all quarters, including badminton fans, should avoid blaming anyone for the problem and instead should try to seek an amicable solution.

“We should place our country first. I feel Lee Zii Jia and BAM always place the interests of the country above everything else,” he said.

“I see there is an opportunity for me as a mediator to bring the two sides together to settle this problem as everyone has their own needs and wants.”

Faizal said this after flagging off the Commonwealth baton run in conjunction with the Queen’s Baton Relay 2022 at Padang Lintau Kampung Tengku Hussein in Manjoi, Ipoh, today.

Yesterday, Faizal said he will meet BAM and Lee soon in connection with the All England champion’s resignation from BAM, which led to the national body banning him from playing in international competitions for two years with effect from January 18.

About 1,000 people, comprising national athletes, representatives of agencies, youth, residents of Manjoi and the political counsellor (internal) representative of the British High Commissioner, Tom Shepherd, took part in the baton run.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is being held in various parts of the world ahead of the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 28-August 8 and Malaysia is the 29th stop among the 72 countries involved. – Bernama, January 22, 2022.