KNG ZHENG GUAN
The big question that has been on everyone's mind is what and how will Lee Zii Jia's team look like.
The world No 7 revealed in an interview with Astro that he was leaving (BAM to try a different approach to elevate his game.
The All-England champion has certainly been the talk of the town ever since he submitted his resignation to BAM earlier this month.
The national body had initially responded by slapping him with a two-year suspension, sparking a widespread outcry from several parties.
But a series of meetings with BAM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria and Youth and Sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu led to BAM eventually softening their stance.
There is yet to be an official announcement but it is understood that Zii Jia has been given the green light to chart his own path.
And Zii Jia has certainly aroused more interest with his decision to form his own support team and secure a training base.
In terms of training base, the options are certainly limited in Malaysia though the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) without doubt hosts the best facilities in the country.
Fans have however been calling for Zii Jia to head to Dubai to train with world No 1 Viktor Axelsen.
The Dane left the Denmark setup last year and is currently based at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai.
Axelsen, who has openly voiced his support for Zii Jia, has also extended an invitation to the latter should he be interested.
A support team on the other hand, would pose a more tricky question. It remains to be seen who would Zii Jia choose as his coach.
The 24-year-old previously trained under Tey Seu Bock in the national setup and the latter could be a choice as his contract with BAM is believed to be expiring at the end of the year.
Indra Wijaya could also be an option if the Indonesian if he becomes available. The 47-year-old is also out of contract at the end of the year and there has been talks that he has tendered his resignation from BAM.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob met with BAM top leadership and Zii Jia at Perdana Putra yesterday.
BAM were led by their president, Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria and his two deputies - Datuk V. Subramaniam and Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos.
"A beneficial discussion. Alhamdulillah, everything is settled. May our national shuttlers continue to excel on the world stage, and the Jalur Gemilang is hoisted again on the international arena," Ismail Sabri said through a post on his official Facebook page.