PETALING JAYA: Professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has agreed to help Malaysia in the Thomas Cup campaign without making any demands from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). However, in a show of commitment to ending the nation’s 34-year wait for the Thomas Cup title, Zii Jia has agreed to set those matters aside. "It is with great pleasure to announce that Lee Zii Jia has reached an agreement with the Badminton Association of Malaysia to be part of Malaysia’s 2026 Thomas Cup squad. "Zii Jia has also agreed to waive his image rights fee in order to represent the country at the upcoming Thomas Cup, reflecting his commitment and dedication to Malaysia," Team LZJ said in a statement on Monday (Feb 23). "We hope this marks a new dawn for Zii Jia and BAM, moving forward together in the best interest of Malaysian badminton."

Source: The Star February 23, 2026 14:15 UTC