Zii Jia capable of managing pressure, deliver solid performance - Norza

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) President, Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the 23-year-old is clearly capable of managing pressure and remains focused to deliver the expected results.

"Zii Jia faced an array of problems when he was at the Thailand Open (early this year), he realised just how difficult things could be.

"I feel he is able to overcome the pressure and is well aware of the challenges ahead of him. After the All-England, I know that he is prepared and has formulated a game plan to face Tokyo 2020," Mohamad Norza said in a statement.

Besides that, Mohamad Norza also praised the spirit and determination exhibited by all the eight national players based under strict bubble conditions at Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara, where they are undergoing the final phase of their training ahead of the Olympics battle.

Mohamad Norza said the immense challenges the players encountered due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, had toughened them up to not give up in their quest to qualify and aim for a high-level performance at the Olympics.

"We noticed the combination of younger and senior players is complementary and beneficial to all of them. They are no longer professional or BAM players, but are a Malaysian team, all training together under one roof.

"I am very proud of the spirit and determination they are displaying. I am confident the difficulties they endured earlier have toughened them up and they are now well prepared to face Tokyo 2020," he said.

He earlier visited the eight Tokyo-bound players who are in the final phase of their training at the ABM, which was carefully managed to ensure all procedures were strictly adhered to avoid any possible COVID-19 infection.

Mohamad Norza spent around 30 minutes observing the training and provided words of encouragement to the players to remain focused in Tokyo, in which the badminton competition is scheduled from July 24 to Aug 2.

Apart from Zii Jia, Malaysia will be represented by Soniia Cheah in the women's singles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men's doubles), Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean (women's doubles), and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles).