Badminton rebel returns: Lee Zii Jia set for Malaysia comeback
Malaysia’s national badminton team may receive a major boost ahead of the upcoming Thomas Cup.
According to TV 2 Sport and journalists Jonas Kjærsgaard and Jacob Qvirin Petersen, Lee Zii Jia is once again set to represent Malaysia after several years of conflict with the national federation.
The former All England champion is expected to be part of Malaysia’s lineup for the Thomas Cup, badminton’s men’s world team championship, which begins on April 24 in Horsens, Denmark.
Danish coach Kenneth Jonassen, who leads Malaysia’s singles program, welcomed the development.
Read also: Donald J. Trump and the weaponization of modern sport
“We have had a really constructive process. I am happy on behalf of everyone that we have agreed on how we should work together going forward,” Kenneth Jonassen told TV 2 Sport during the All England tournament in Birmingham.
Split with the federation
Lee Zii Jia left the Badminton Association Of Malaysia in January 2022 to establish his own independent training setup. The decision created a significant rift between the player and the federation.
According to TV 2 Sport, communication between the two sides has gradually improved over time.
Kenneth Jonassen, who joined Malaysia in early 2025 after several years as national coach for Badminton Denmark, said rebuilding the relationship required patience.
Read also: El Clásico: Reliving the Most Dominant Wins in Football's Greatest Rivalry
“Over the past 14 months I have continuously been in contact with him through personal messages,” Kenneth Jonassen told TV 2 Sport.
He added that a shared sense of representing the country helped move discussions forward.
“I am of the belief that we must stand together for the nation,” he said.
Talent, triumph and difficult years
Lee Zii Jia was long considered one of badminton’s most promising players.
Read also: The 20 greatest darts players of all time, ranked from legends to rising stars
In 2021 he won the prestigious All England tournament at just 22 years old, defeating Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the final.
Since then his career has been marked by setbacks. Injuries and personal challenges have affected his performances, and the Malaysian star has openly spoken about the possibility of ending his career.
He is currently ranked around number 64 in the world.
Lee Chong Wei helped reopen dialogue
According to TV 2 Sport, Malaysian legend Lee Chong Wei also played an important role in bringing the two sides closer.
Read also: The 10 Biggest Sponsors in Formula 1 - Ranked
The former world number one became performance chairman of the Malaysian federation in October 2025.
Kenneth Jonassen highlighted his involvement in the discussions.
“It has been really positive to have him involved,” Kenneth Jonassen told TV 2 Sport.
Thomas Cup return could strengthen Malaysia
For now, the agreement primarily concerns Lee Zii Jia’s participation in the Thomas Cup in Horsens.
Read also: Trump and Obama clash over Team USA comments
The tournament is considered one of badminton’s most prestigious team competitions, and Lee Zii Jia’s return could strengthen Malaysia’s singles lineup.
Whether the cooperation continues beyond the tournament remains uncertain. According to Kenneth Jonassen, the federation remains open to further collaboration.
Sources: TV 2 Sport
