The BA of Malaysia (BAM) believes it has reached an amicable solution with national shuttler Lee Zii Jia, adding both parties can now move forward in the sport’s best interest.
This, despite the saga, continuing to raise questions, including how it should have been handled, since Day 1.
“We had a good conversation. It was positive, and we are confident of reaching an amicable solution,” said BAM deputy president Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, who is also the national body’s legal advisory committee chairman.
“Our discussion will be presented to the Council, and BAM will make an announcement regarding the matter next week,” he told Twentytwo13 after meeting Lee and his lawyer at Akademi Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.
Lee, and another shuttler Goh Jin Wei, were slapped with a two-year suspension by BAM last Friday. Lee left the national stable, while Goh resigned from the sport late last year due to health reasons, but returned to the scene after signing with KLRC Bhd earlier this month, as revealed by Twentytwo13.
When told that Goh had not received her letter of suspension, a BAM official said that her letter would be submitted through the Penang BA.
This raised eyebrows as the players initially learnt about their suspensions via last week’s press conference, instead of through official letters from the national body.
Some also feared that Lee could get away by paying compensation, while Goh would be the scapegoat, although she had received BAM’s blessings to leave last year.
The saga caused a massive public outcry, locally and abroad, and even caught the attention of politicians on both sides of the aisle. Some even urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to interfere.
Several parties had rushed to meet the players following the episode. They included Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who met the duo in Kuala Lumpur yesterday evening, and his deputy Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.