As Lee Zii Jia put in his appeal yesterday against his two-year ban by BAM, support for him online is growing rapidly.
BAM issued a statement yesterday, saying: "Hence, BAM can also confirm that we have received an appeal letter from Lee Zii Jia today. As the custodian of national badminton interest, we are looking into the matter with great urgency to find an amicable resolve.
Last week, the 23-year-old rocked the badminton fraternity when he submitted his resignation to BAM. Subsequently, BAM responded by banning the All-England champion from playing in international tournaments for two years.
Former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei, who announced her retirement before attempting a comeback, also suffered a similar fate.
The BAM move sparked massive outrage, not only in Malaysia but around the world as a two-year suspension would derail Zii Jia's career.
The decision, if withheld, means that Zii Jia will miss the 2024 Paris Olympics, as well as this year's Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
For his part, Zii Jia has mostly stayed silent. However, the Kedah-born will address the situation in a press conference soon.
But the support for Zii Jia, especially on social media, has been rapidly growing with at least three online petitions throwing their support for both him and Jin Wei.
The first 'Don't Ban Lee Zii Jia and Goh Jin Wei' has already received more than 120,000 signatures at press time.
Two more petitions, one of it called 'Justice for Lee Zii Jia', are gaining traction.
Zii Jia has shared these petitions on his Instagram story.
Additionally, the support from the badminton fraternity, especially among fellow players has also been growing.
Besides the Danish trio of world No 1 Viktor Axelsen, world No 3 Anders Antonsen and Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, former national players Koo Kien Keat and Goh Liu Ying have also thrown in their support for Zii Jia.
It remains to be seen what Zii Jia's official response will be, although he would surely have a lot of support in his favour.
Many fans and players want to see BAM lifting their ban on Zii Jia and Jin Wei, although both had breached their contracts with the national body.
On Sunday, Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu revealed that he had listed several proposals to resolve the conflict between Zii Jia and BAM.
It is understood that Faizal met Zii Jia in an undisclosed location late yesterday over the issue and will meet BAM officials today.
"On the matter (lifting of the ban), I will discuss in both meetings," he said.