Kuala Lumpur: Under the strict Covid-19 protocols implemented by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) at the Asian Leg of BWF World Tour, shuttlers can only work directly with coaches during training sessions. Players would need to chat with their coaches using online app for game plan discussion or game analysis.
As the Yonex Thailand Open is set to kick off on Tuesday in Bangkok, Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia and men’s singles coach Hendrawan have been using an online app to talk about their game plan.
“We have limited training time at the Muang Thong Thani’s Impact Arena, therefore, we have to get used to chatting through an online app,” said Hendrawan.
“Zii Jia and I have been working on our game plans via online channel, I think we are adapting well to this new way of communication,” added Hendrawan.
The Malaysian team will undergo their fourth COVID-19 swab test before the competition begins on Jan 12.
“I think all players have an equal chance of winning at the Thailand Open. What I need to do right now is to help Zii Jia to regain the form that brought him to the 2020 All-England semis,” continued Hendrawan.
“It’s difficult to get back that feeling after a long break. But, whoever that could adapt quickly under the current situation will have a greater advantage,” explained Hendrawan.
The eight seeded Lee will kick off his opener against H. S. Prannoy of India on Wednesday. If he can get past the first round, he would face the winner between Kidambi Srikanth and Sourabh Verma in the second round.
