BAM Slaps A 2-Year Ban On Lee Zii Jia From Participating In All BWF-Sanctioned Tournaments
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has also banned Goh Jin Wei for two years after the former women's singles shuttler recently quit the national team and joined professional club KLRC.
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Lee Zii Jia, who recently quit the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), has been slapped with a two-year ban by the national team
The 23-year-old has been banned from all Badminton World Federation (BWF)-sanctioned tournaments beginning 18 January, according to BAM deputy president Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos.
"BAM has reached the decision to not register him for any tournaments for the period from 18 January 2022," Jahaberdeen was quoted as saying by The Star today, 21 January.
BAM has also banned Goh Jin Wei for two years after the former women's singles shuttler recently quit the national badminton team
In September last year, 21-year-old Goh announced her retirement from the sport, citing medical reasons. The former women's singles shuttler later joined professional club KLRC.
The ban on Goh started on 31 October last year, the BAM deputy president revealed today.
It's not clear if Lee can appeal against the ban, but a source close to BAM said that the two-year ban will mean his "career in as good as over"
BAM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria confirmed that Lee tendered his resignation on 11 January.
According to Norza, one of the reasons given by the All-England champion was that he was under tremendous pressure and that he needed to achieve his goals in his own time and space.
New Straits Times reported that BAM, in the past, had banned players like Tan Chung Seang and Toh Ee Wei for quitting prematurely, though the latter rejoined the national setup soon after being pardoned.
There is a rule in the BWF that could allow Lee to play as a professional player. However, he has to move to another country first.
According to a report in The Star, Lee can move his training base to Dubai, and if he stays there for a duration of three to 12 months, his name can be entered by the United Arab Emirates Badminton Federation for international tournaments.
He does not have to change his citizenship. He can still choose to play under the Malaysian flag.
Read about Lee's resignation here:
Earlier, Datuk Lee Chong Wei expressed his disappointment at the state of Malaysian badminton after Lee's decision to quit BAM:
Meanwhile, national sprinter Ridzuan Puzi broke down in tears during an interview yesterday after learning that he may have to part ways with his beloved coach, R Jeganathan:
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