Kuala Lumpur: Lee Zii Jia felt he needed an experienced coach on board, somebody who together with his support team, could take his career and his talent to the next level.
Speaking to reporters after beating Ng Tze Yong 21-8, 18-21, 21-12 in the second edition of the President’s Cup on Sunday, which is also a simulation match ahead of the 2023 Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, China.
Lee said he and his team has yet to make a final decision on his new coach.
“For the time being, the process of coach searching is still underway and we have several preferred candidates, including a coach who has produced some champion players,” said Lee.
Last Friday, the World No. 8 player admitted that he was trying to get the services of a coach to help him qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Lee has been competing without a full-time coach since parting ways with Indra Wijaya in November 2022.
Lee who won the Badminton Asian Championships in 2022, said he did not rule out the possibility of appointing Liew Daren as his coach if talks with other candidates do not work out.
In Sunday’s second edition of the President’s Cup, Lee led the Malaysian Tigers to beat the Malaysian Eagles 4-1.
Next up for Lee will be the Sudirman Cup, and that’s going to be critical for Lee as it’s the first tournament for the Race to Paris 2024 qualification.
Furthermore, the 2023 Sudirman Cup will see China host its first major badminton event in over three years.
