Former world No. 1 Datuk Rashid Sidek believes Lee Zii Jia should look beyond Malaysia if he hopes to revive his badminton career, urging the independent shuttler to train overseas rather than return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Zii Jia has endured a difficult period marked by recurring injuries and mental health struggles, with his form slipping dramatically in recent months. The former All England champion is now ranked world No. 54 as he continues his bid to climb back among the sport's elite.
According to Rashid, a change of environment could provide the fresh challenge Zii Jia needs to rediscover his confidence and consistency.
The Malaysian badminton legend believes returning to BAM is unlikely to benefit either side. He pointed out that the national body is currently focused on developing younger players, while Zii Jia, at 28, requires high-level training partners and a programme tailored to his immediate ambitions.
Instead, Rashid encouraged the former world No. 2 to follow the example of several top international players who regularly train outside their home countries to expose themselves to different coaching methods and stronger sparring opportunities.
He cited Denmark's Anders Antonsen, Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen and Singapore's Loh Kean Yew as examples of players who frequently travel overseas to sharpen their game.
Rashid also pointed to retired Danish great Viktor Axelsen as the ideal model. During his career, the two-time Olympic champion established his own training base in Dubai, where he regularly trained with elite international players while travelling extensively to seek out the highest level of competition.
Rashid believes adopting a similar approach could help Zii Jia regain the form that once made him one of the world's top players. With his ranking now outside the top 50, the former world champion contender faces a long road back, but the badminton great believes the right training environment could play a crucial role in that journey.
