KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh wants national shuttler Lee Zii Jia to be part of the Road to Gold programme, despite his recent run of poor results.
Yeoh, will meet the world number four shuttler soon following his second-round exit at the German Open last Thursday, said she believes the shuttler has still got what it takes to clinch the top medal.
“We definitely want Zii Jia to be contributing to our Road to Gold (initiative), we believe he has it and wants to be there for him to help him.
“I will be meeting Zii Jia when he comes back and this will be one of the conversations that we will have to help him focus on what’s ahead,” she said at the Road to Gold committee announcement at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, here, this evening.
The Road to Gold committee is complementing the ministry’s Podium Programme to help Malaysia win its first gold at the Olympics.
“It is a national project, so I hope that in our conversation we will put the interest of Malaysia ahead of personal ones.
“I am certain there will be a lot of discussion in the weeks ahead,” she added.
National sporting icons Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi were among the names included in the committee to assist potential medallists in winning gold at the Olympics.
Chong Wei said his role is to focus on the athletes’ on-court performance, as he can share valuable knowledge and experience as a three-time Olympic silver medallist.
“My part is to see how I can help on the court, off court matters perhaps the minister would be able to help.
“We want to help these athletes stay motivated and hungry for Malaysia’s first gold. Winning that is not just my ambition but the hope of all Malaysians as well.
“If you were to compare me when I first stepped onto the Olympic stage and now, there are certainly many things I have learnt,” he said.
Recently, Zii Jia’s former coach Indra Wijaya rejected his offer in a bid to settle out of court following an unlawful termination dispute after the coach was dismissed in November. – The Vibes, March 12, 2023
