Badminton

Indra to sue Zii Jia following breakup?

KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial shuttler Lee Zii Jia could be fighting his former coach, Indra Wijaya, in court, but not the badminton type.

It is learnt that former Indonesian star Indra may take legal action against world No. 4 Zii Jia for alleged breach of contract.

Timesport intend to get Zii Jia to comment on the matter.

The news comes on the back of Zii Jia suffering another early round exit at the Indonesia Masters, his third in as many weeks after the Malaysia Open and India Open setbacks.

Last November, less than 12 months after leaving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Zii Jia unceremoniously dropped Indra from his support team and continues without a coach.

Indra, a former national singles coach, left BAM to join Zii Jia's professional team in February.

It was understood that Zii Jia and Indra had signed a contract between them, which expires only after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Despite being crowned Asian champion and winning the Thailand Open in May, Zii Jia's form plunged in the second half of the year.

As a result, the Kedah-born failed to make the cut for the season-ending World Tour Finals in Bangkok, which led to the sacking of Indra.

When contacted by Timesport today, Indra neither denied nor confirmed the possible suit against his former player.

Following Indra's exit, Zii Jia's professional team consists Liew Daren, who acts as his coach and sparring partner, his sister and manager, Lee Zii Yii, physiotherapist Sandra Fiedler and physical trainer Lim Joe Heang.

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