KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia badminton star Lee Zii Jia was absent from training at the Badminton Academy Malaysia (ABM), with national men’s singles coach Kenneth Jonassen confirming that Lee is still focusing on recovering from his ankle injury ahead of the Thomas Cup.
According to Jonassen, the coaching team had already expected Lee Zii Jia might not attend the training session as the professional badminton player continues his rehabilitation program.
Recovery Is the Top Priority
Kenneth Jonassen explained that the most important priority right now is for Lee Zii Jia to fully recover before returning to full training and competition.
He said rushing back to training too early could risk further injury, which would be a bigger setback for both the player and the Malaysia badminton team ahead of the Thomas Cup.
The coaching team hopes Lee Zii Jia will be able to join several training sessions next week to evaluate his fitness and readiness before the final team selection deadline.
Thomas Cup Deadline Creating Pressure
The situation is becoming more challenging for the coaching staff as the Thomas Cup team nomination deadline is approaching quickly. The final deadline for team submission is April 10, and the team needs clarity on Lee Zii Jia’s fitness before making a final decision.
Jonassen explained that after the final nomination deadline, replacing players becomes more complicated because it depends on world rankings and tournament regulations.
This means the Malaysia badminton team must make careful decisions regarding player selection to ensure the strongest possible lineup for the Thomas Cup.
Critical Week Ahead for Malaysia Badminton
Jonassen admitted that the coming week will be very important, as the team needs to assess Lee Zii Jia’s recovery progress, fitness level, and readiness to compete.
The Malaysia badminton team is hoping the former All England champion can recover in time to play an important role in the Thomas Cup campaign.
Stay tuned for more badminton news and updates from the world of badminton.
