The decision by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to ban Lee Zii Jia for two years has divided people’s opinions as they debate on how fair it is.
In a statement by BAM Deputy President, Jaharbedeen Mohd Yunoos, the sport’s governing body had reached the decision to not register him for any tournaments for the period until Jan 18, 2022.
He added that the ban would result in the All-England Champion from participating in all Badminton World Federation-approved tournaments.
Members of the public have taken to social media to voice their opinion on the matter.
Zul Wan agreed with the BAM as this sort of behaviour should not be tolerated.
“The country spent millions to develop him since he was 13 and this is he wants to repay us? Ungrateful,” he said.
He also claimed that Zee Jia will never be able to replicate what Lee Chong Wei had done for the country.
Others have taken a different stance, suggesting that it was the BAM at fault for not retaining Malaysia’s number 1 badminton athlete.
Kenny Neh said, “After sweating, tearing and enduring pain playing for the country, this is what you get from those self-serving officials.”
He reminded that their role was to nurture and groom them but never to own them.
In addition to Zii Jia being banned, former women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei has also faced the same punishment due to joining Kuala Lumpur Racket Club (KLRC).
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
