SHAH ALAM: National professional men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia is primed for action at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) from tomorrow until Feb 18 after returning from top-flight training in South Korea recently.

The former All-England champion, having trained with the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) for 10 days from Jan 31 to Feb 9, is ready to be fielded any time his services are needed by the national squad.

“(And) of course, I am prepared anytime the team needs me (for BATC). The pressure is there and it’s something that we have to deal with,“ he said at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam here today.

Zii Jia also thinks that Malaysia, as the defending champions and drawn in Group B with Brunei, Kazakhstan and Taiwan at BATC 2024, hold an advantage.

Malaysia should get off to a flying start, having avoided the likes of 2022 Thomas Cup champions India, the formidable South Korea and top seeds China in the group stage, but there is a fresh draw for the last eight.

However, he expects fierce competition at the 2024 BATC because the tournament, besides being attended by some of the world’s biggest names, also offers a slot to the Thomas Cup in May with the four best teams automatically qualifying for the prestigious tournament.