PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia’s preparations for the Malaysian Open have been hit by news that his coach Yeoh Kay Bin will be parting ways with the independent player.
Just a week before the prestigious tourney smashes off at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, team LZJ have announced that Kay Bin, who only started coaching Zii Jia a year ago, has decided not to renew his contract.
While the 45-year-old will still be guiding the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medallist in the competition, Liew Daren will return to replace him after the tournament.
“Team LZJ would like to express thanks and gratitude to head coach Yeoh Kay Bin, who wishes not to extend his contract with the team to pursue personal opportunities for the upcoming year,” said the team via social media.
“Kay Bin has been a strong presence for the team especially for Zii Jia, who has had to deal with multiple injuries throughout the season.
“However, he has agreed to be in Zii Jia’s corner for the upcoming Malaysian Open (Jan 6-11).
“To fill this void, Liew Daren has agreed to return to team LZJ in a coaching capacity.”
Zii Jia has endured a tough year beset by injuries and hardly competed under Kay Bin’s watch.
The 27-year-old said that he understood Kay Bin’s desire to seek a move elsewhere.
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for coach Kay Bin, who has been through my side the past year,” said Zii Jia.
“I have learned new things from him and I myself am frustrated at the limited opportunity to showcase what we have done in training, that is why I understand his desire to seek something else for himself and I wish him all the best.”
Zii Jia will be making his first competitive appearance since September in the home Open.
He will not have it easy in the World Tour Super 1000 home tourney which has attracted most of the world’s top 10 players.
Based on the draw released yesterday, Zii Jia has a tricky first-round match against India’s world No. 32 Ayush Shetty before a possible clash with China’s world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi in the second round.
He last won a match in the Orleans Masters in March where he made it to the quarter-finals.
Zii Jia then lost in the first round of the All-England, World Championships, Hong Kong Open and China Masters.
He picked up a back injury in the China tourney to add to his woes after struggling to overcome an ankle problem which he sustained in the World Tour Finals last year.
Zii Jia’s world rankings dropped to No. 144 due to his long absence from competitions but he has a protected ranking of No. 9 which makes him eligible for top tier tournaments until March.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will also be represented by Leong Jun Hao in the men’s singles in the home event.
World No. 28 Jun Hao has been drawn against China’s world No. 29 Wang Zhengxing in the first round.
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