PETALING JAYA: Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is keen to meet with independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia when he returns home to help him address his alarming decline in form.
Zii Jia lost to Taiwan's world No. 49 Lee Chia-Hao in the second round of the German Open on Thursday. It was the first time he had lost to a player outside the top 40 in four years.
Zii Jia subsequently posted, "I'm f*****g done" on social media (Instagram story) yesterday.
Yeoh was unimpressed with his choice of words, but empathised with Zii Jia and is looking to give the world No. 4 the support he needs.
"I contacted Zii Jia after his last match and told him that I would meet him again when he comes back to discuss how we can improve his performance, and he agreed," said Yeoh today.
"I recently spoke about how athletes are a source of inspiration to many Malaysians and how they are looked up to.
"But at the same time, we have to remember that athletes also have their ups and downs. I don't want to be in a position where I say, 'You shouldn't be like that, when you lose a match'.
"I want to provide the support infrastructure for our athletes. Some of the things we are looking at are social media training and mental strength training.
"A lot of our athletes were taken away from their friends and families as early as 12 years old to be placed in training programmes where their entire focus is on the sport.
"We see sports as a recreational activity, but for them (professional athletes) it is their job.
"I want to show empathy and help them improve. I know there is a lot of room for improvement, which is why I want to meet Zia Jia when he comes back."
Zia Jia has been in wretched form since the end of last year and has not made it past the last 16 in six straight tournaments.
Yeoh hinted that support will also be provided to Zii Jia via the Road to Gold programme which will be unveiled today.