KUALA LUMPUR: The two-week deadline for Lee Zii Jia to join the Road to Gold (RTG) Olympic programme expired today with the shuttler saying 'no'.
The 25-year-old former all England champion decided not to be part of the programme after being given a deadline to sign the Letter of Commitment (LOC) by Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh.
A statement by the RTG committee said yesterday: "In the (online) meeting, Team LZJ was represented by Zii Jia's coaches Wong Tat Meng and Liew Daren, as well as his sister and manager Lee Zii Yii, who explained that the decision was made after careful consideration and internal consultation for which Zii Jia will not require the top-up services offered by the RTG.
"Nonetheless, Team LZJ has given its assurance that they will continue to work closely with all the relevant stakeholders such the the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Olympic Council of Malaysia, National Sports Council and National Sports Institute in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics next year."
The RTG is an elite preparation programme intended to provide top athletes with the additional support to challenge for gold at the Paris Olympics next year, the 2028 Los Angeles Games and other major international competitions.
In addition to sport science, competition exposure and coaching support, athletes under RTG also receive an allowance of RM3,000 a month.
Zii Jia, who has his own professional team, is currently in Japan for the Kumamoto Masters.
The World No. 11 will face Denmark's Anders Antonsen in the first round tomorrow.
