Datuk Misbun Sidek, the former coach of Malaysian badminton player Lee Zii Jia, has expressed confidence that the shuttler still possesses the potential to revive his career, provided he is willing to seek assistance. Misbun, who worked with Lee during the early stages of his professional journey and helped him secure his first World Tour title at the Taiwan Open in 2018, emphasized that the key to overcoming Lee’s current challenges lies in addressing underlying issues with the right support.

Despite recent struggles, including difficulties even in smaller tournaments, Misbun noted that Lee continues to show a strong desire to compete. “From what I can see, he is a good person and he still wants to play. Otherwise, he would not still be trying to compete,” Misbun said. However, he acknowledged a persistent barrier is holding the player back and questioned who might be able to help identify and resolve the problem.

Misbun pointed out that the responsibility ultimately rests with Lee himself to seek guidance and work toward regaining his form. “It is like leading a horse to water. If it is not thirsty, you cannot force it to drink,” Misbun remarked, stressing that any improvement depends on Lee’s willingness to accept advice.

The former Malaysia national team coach also highlighted Lee’s proven capabilities, recalling that the player had previously reached the pinnacle of the sport as an attacking style competitor, including winning the prestigious All England title. However, he observed that Lee’s performance has faltered in recent times and suggested that age and changes in circumstances might be factors contributing to the decline.

“There was a time when everything came together for him,” Misbun said. “He has won the All-England and he has been among the best. It is not as though he has never reached that level.” The question now, he noted, is what is preventing Lee from returning to that elite status, and identifying the solution is a challenge for coaches and support teams.

Misbun reaffirmed his willingness to provide advice if Lee decides to seek help, underscoring his belief that with the right approach, the player could rediscover his competitive edge and stage a career resurgence.