BA of Malaysia (BAM) singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann admits it will be a huge loss to the national body if world No 7 Lee Zii Jia leaves the national team.
Earlier this week, the Malaysian badminton fraternity was set abuzz with speculations that the 24-year-old reigning All England champion was set to quit the national team.
Although there has been no confirmation on the matter, Choong Hann acknowledged that the rumours had come to his attention.
When met at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday, Choong Hann said: "For me, Zii Jia is still following our training programme, as usual. We know that rumours are going around that Zii Jia wants to turn professional, but up until now, I don't see any difference because he still reports for training.
"Zii Jia and I do discuss many matters, but this is not one of them. We talk more about performance, technical matters, training programmes and targets for the year.
"Nothing on his career path or position in the team. If there was, it was not with me.
"I don't think it's worrying if the rumours are true, but more of urgent concern because if we lose our No 1, we have to rush and produce more top-level players. We need more time.
"We have been developing players like Ng Tze Yong, who is very positive, but Zii Jia leaving will definitely affect us.
"However, for now, he (Zii Jia) is still training hard with us."
The former world No 1 agrees that a lot has been invested into producing top players like Zii Jia but noted that players usually have a one-sided view.
"From a player's perspective, they are playing for the country and for as long as they are, there is no right or wrong. It's a personal preference.
"However, a lot has been invested by BAM, the Sports Ministry, the National Sports Council, the National Sports Council, which is like investing in a product with no guaranteed success.
"It's not just monetary, but a lot of effort and resources, coaches' input and time. Time here is precious.
"I am not denying that players have also been giving their best and time to this collaboration, so that is a very tricky question.
"For me, it is a huge loss for BAM when these mature products, who still have a long life span, leave.
"From BAM's point of view, it is not fair, but for players, it's different," he added.
On whether BAM would try to convince Zii Jia to stay, Choong Hann said: "I think we always do our best to retain our talents, whether people see it or not, it is always a step that BAM take.
"At this point, there has been no discussion on the matter. We have only been discussing his inconsistent form last year and how to stabilise his game.
"We have been in this structure for long, and we can act professionally.
