KUALA LUMPUR – The National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi has denied allegations of allowing top shuttler Lee Zii Jia to only bring his coach, and not his entire team, to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
When contacted by The Vibes, Shapawi said NSC was prepared to fulfil Zii Jia’s request before he decided to pull out from the Games.
“It is not true when it is said that NSC only allowed his coach to follow him to Birmingham. We were prepared to allow him to bring his entourage but due to the limitation of the accreditation cards by the Olympic Council Malaysia, only his coach and physiotherapist were given the cards.
“However, we told him that he could bring his sparring partner, manager, and strength conditioner but they will not have access to the Games Village, and they will need to buy tickets like regular spectators to watch the matches.
“Those with the accreditation passes will stay in the Games Village and persons without it will need to find accommodation elsewhere. NSC was prepared to get them the accommodation.
“We understand why he wanted to bring his team and we did our best to accommodate his request. Zii Jia was aware of it but informed us that he will have to first discuss with his team before deciding.
“Well, this was the decision, so it is entirely up to Zii Jia. But from NSC’s standpoint, we were ready to fulfill his request,” said Shapawi.
Meanwhile, former national singles player Ong Ewe Hock said not competing in the Commonwealth Games is Zii Jia’s loss because it comes once every four years while the World Championships is an annual tournament.
“This Commonwealth Games Zii Jia has the best opportunity to win the gold medal because he is in top form and the only serious challenge will come from India’s Lakshya Sen, whom he has beaten before.
“We do not know if he will be able to play in the next Commonwealth Games, citing injuries and his form. However, it is his decision at the end of the day.
“I hope he realises that every competition is important, especially the top three multi-sports events,” said Ewe Hock, who won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 1998 when Malaysia hosted the Games.
At the same time, Datuk James Selvaraj is disappointed with Zii Jia’s decision to skip Birmingham because it shows that the player is not holding his part of the bargain.
He said that when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) revoked his two-year ban, Zii Jia assured him that he will put the country first and will compete in the big events.
“Isn’t the Commonwealth Games a big event? The World Championships is important, but it is held every year, so I hope he can reconsider his decision if it is not too late.
“Zii Jia will be missing out on two gold medals – the singles and the mixed team event. It is not wrong for the country to depend on him to help Malaysia win some gold medals.”
However, social media have been supporting Zii Jia’s decision and many netizens feel that it was the right thing to do as the World Championships is bigger than the Commonwealth Games and Malaysia is yet to have a world champion.
The gold at the Commonwealth Games, on the other hand, has been won many times.
It will be great to see Zii Jia win the World Championships in August as the likes of Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Japan’s Kento Mamota and Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen will also be gunning for glory. – The Vibes, June 25, 2022
