By Fabian Peter
KUALA LUMPUR: BAM coaching director Wong Choong Hann wants to see if Lee Zii Jia has come out of his slump at the European circuit next month.
According to Choong Hann, the men's singles shuttler has been showing good progress in training, but it will amount to nothing if he does not show up in both the Swiss Open on March 2-7 and the All England (March 17-22).
"Of course, it's too early to say anything, but he has shown improvement during training.
"The coaches have identified what was wrong during the Asian leg of the World Tour last month and have been working on getting Zii Jia at his best again.
"Zii Jia has also been receptive, so it will be good to see how far he can go in Europe," said Choong Hann.
Zii Jia, who peaked last year by breaking into the world's top 10, suffered a dip in form when international badminton resumed in January with the Asian leg of the World Tour in Bangkok.
After crashing out in the quarter-finals of the Yonex Thailand Open, Zii Jia suffered a first-round exit at the following Toyota Thailand Open and three consecutive defeats in the season-ending World Tour Finals to finish last in the group stage.
The World No 11 came under heavy criticism following his poor outing, with some even calling for a coaching revamp in the men's singles department.
Currently, it is helmed by Indonesian Hendrawan and assisted by Tey Seu Bock.
"I do not blame the player alone... coaches are also responsible.
"Zii Jia and his coaches have been working hard to turn things around, so let's see in Europe," added Choong Hann.
Zii Jia, 23, will open his Swiss Open campaign against South Korea's Heo Kwang Hee.
Meanwhile, BAM are expected to decide whether the national players will stay put in Basel after the Swiss Open or head to England.
Due to the lockdown in England following a surge in Covid-19 cases, they may have to continue training in Basel before travelling to Birmingham for the All England.
This comes after the Badminton World Federation called off the German Open, originally scheduled on March 9-14, earlier this month due to a coronavirus spike in the country.