Malaysia’s preparations for the upcoming Thomas Cup have been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding Lee Zii Jia’s potential inclusion in the national squad.
The independent star is currently in discussions with the Badminton Association of Malaysia over the terms of his participation in the prestigious team event, which will be held in Horsens, Denmark from April 24 to May 3. Zii Jia has reportedly requested a week to finalise his decision, with an answer expected by Friday.
While negotiations between players and associations are not uncommon, the situation has reignited debate within the badminton community about priorities when it comes to national representation.
Former national player Ong Ewe Hock has voiced a firm opinion on the matter, insisting that wearing the national colours should come without conditions.
“If you want to wear the national flag on your jersey, then you have to play for the country,” he said.
Source: Flashsukan
For Ewe Hock, the principle is clear. National duty must outweigh discussions over compensation or personal arrangements. He believes that matters such as rewards or commercial considerations should not take precedence when representing Malaysia in a major team championship.
This is not the first time similar concerns have surfaced. During the 2024 Thomas Cup in Chengdu, there were reports that Zii Jia’s camp had sought compensation, allegedly linked to image rights. Although such arrangements may be standard in individual tournaments, team events involving national representation often carry different expectations.
Ewe Hock pointed to international examples to support his stance, citing Taiwan’s structured approach to team events. While players may use their own preferred equipment such as racquets and shoes, official team attire is compulsory at major championships, ensuring a unified identity.
“In Taiwan, when you are selected for the Olympics or Asian Games, you must wear the official team attire,” he noted, highlighting the importance of presenting a collective front.
Having experienced life both within the national setup and as an independent player, Ewe Hock acknowledged the complexities of managing sponsor commitments. However, he stressed that players and sponsors alike must recognise the distinction between individual and national responsibilities.
“We are talking about national interest, not individual, so sponsors must understand,” he said.
As the deadline approaches, BAM is eager to finalise its strongest possible lineup for Horsens. The hope is that all parties can reach common ground and ensure Malaysia fields its best squad in pursuit of Thomas Cup glory.
