KUALA LUMPUR: Following a turbulent start to his professional career, world No 4 Lee Zii Jia wants to start again with a clean slate.
The 24-year-old reigning Asian champion held his first official press meet today since leaving the national setup in January, to introduce his team and the new Road to Paris 2024 campaign.
Zii Jia and his sister, Lee Zii Yii, who is also his manager, admitted that they are still learning the ropes of operating as an independent team, but want to be the catalyst for a healthy professional environment in the future.
"After leaving BAM early this year, I never really spoke to the media. Honestly, I wasn't ready to face them yet," Zii Jia noted.
"I had to settle matters at my end and focus on my own training first. In the future I will be more open to the media, and I want to thank everyone for being here today."
Zii Yii echoed her younger brother's sentiments by adding: "We are the first to do this (setting up a professional team), don't think it has happened before in Malaysia.
"What we want to do is to have a good environment for future independent players.
"I am not sure if we are doing the right thing or not, but we have to start somewhere."
Zii Jia and his team hope to see more commercial sponsors coming on board his latest campaign, as the Olympic qualifying period starts in May next year.
"I started an Instagram account, which will carry official news on tournaments and my preparation for the Paris Olympics.
"I hope more sponsors will come on board to join Team LZJ on the Road to Paris campaign," said Zii Jia, who is currently sponsored by sports equipment brand, Victor.
Recently, Zii Jia came under heavy criticism when he chose to skip the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in August. His reason then was to focus on the World Championships in Tokyo.
However, things took a bad turn for the Kedahan when he crashed out in the last 16 of the world meet after losing to China's Zhao Jun Peng. Zii Jia then went on to lose in the first round of the Super 750 Japan Open.
"I definitely was struggling with stress at that time. I had very high expectations and was very disappointed with my performance at the world meet. Having said that, it's a process, I have to move on.
"I'm happy we got this break in between tournaments. I went on a holiday trip with my friends, and it was very much needed."
Zii Jia also revealed that he will be heading to Denmark a week earlier before the Denmark Open on Oct 18-23, where he has made arrangements to train alongside world champion Viktor Axelsen and his Danish compatriot Anders Antonsen.
"Axelsen is the best player right now. He is in form and is maintaining his condition well. He has always been someone I look up to.
"I will be training at the Danish Association as well as at some clubs with Axelsen and Antonsen. After the Denmark Open, I will compete in the French Open (Oct 25-30)," he said.