KUALA LUMPUR: The body of Chinese badminton player Zhang Zhi Jie, who passed away nearly a month ago, remains unclaimed by family members.
Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) spokesperson Broto Happy, said the family has requested that his body remained at the Sardjito Hospital in Yogyakarta for the time being.
"The body of Zhang Zhi Jie is still at the hospital. I was informed that the family has asked for one more week to collect it.
"However, we do not know the reason behind their decision," he said when contacted by Kompas.com.
He said PBSI will oversee the process of repatriating the body of the Chinese badminton player to return to their country.
Meanwhile, Sardjito Hospital legal affairs and public relations head Banu Hermaan said Zhang's body is being kept in a cooling room at the hospital's mortuary.
He said they are still awaiting instructions from the deceased's family or PBSI regarding the retrieval of his body.
On July 1, it was reported that Zhang died after collapsing on the court during the Asian Junior Badminton Mixed Team Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The incident occurred during the third match between China and Japan at GOR Among Raga.
The score was tied 11-11 in the first game when Zhijie, facing Kazuma Kawano, suddenly collapsed mid-court.
He lay on the court convulsing as the medical team rushed to provide first aid. He was then rushed to hospital.