NATIONAL shuttler Lee Zii Jia, who left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to go professional, must engage the services of a good coach to improve his performance and progress in his career.

Malaysian badminton legend Rashid Sidek said as a player who had been under the tutelage of BAM, Lee must certainly know what kind of a coach he would need when making a choice – whether an attacking style of play, or going for rallies.

“To me, every player must have a coach and a good support team because it can improve the player’s physical and mental strength through regimented training sessions. Once you have others to do the necessary preparations Lee will just need to focus on his game.

“To become a top player, hard training is needed and a good coach and good support team will make all the necessary preparations. They will also give motivation and inspiration to continue when the going gets tough” he told reporters after opening a charity programme in Kuala Lumpur today.

Lee, without someone to coach him after his decision to leave the BAM fold and his coach Indra Wijaya from Indonesia last November, has seen his performance taking a dip.

The negative impact on his game showed when he lost in the first round of the Malaysia Open, second round in the Indian Open and again another second defeat in the Indonesia Masters last month.

The former All-England champion has also been slipping down the Badminton World Federation’s ranking – from no. 2 to no. 4 in just over a month. – Bernama, February 4, 2023.