If you want to be a professional in a certain field, it’s best to have a teacher, mentor, or coach who can teach, guide, and help you improve your skills. While it’s still very possible to be a self-taught professional at something, not everyone is gifted with talents that can help them progress further.
Whether it’s a vocal coach or a sports coach, their job is to bring out the best in you, especially if you have the potential to become one of the best out there. Sadly, there will come a day when you have to part ways with your coach. Recently, it’s been reported that badminton player Lee Zii Jia and his coach have gone their separate ways.
After 10 months and many matches throughout this year, it’s been confirmed that Lee Zii Jia (李梓嘉)’s coach Indra Wijaya will be ending his service for the young athlete tomorrow (Wednesday, 30th November). The coach has been working with the rising star ever since his junior years and even helped him climb to the top. He officially became his coach earlier this year when the badminton player went solo.
According to The Vibes, the decision for his departure was made last Friday (25th November) after a discussion with the 24-year-old’s sister, who is also his manager. As for the reason for his resignation as the World’s No.2 badminton player’s coach, he told The Vibes, “According to Zii Jia, he wants to try something different solo, without a coach.”
The 48-year-old then added that he respects his coachee’s decision and appreciates what he plans to do in the future. Indra said he went back to Indonesia for a holiday with his family over the weekend but will return to KL to sort out some administration and management matters. So what are his plans after this? The former badminton player will now offer his services as a coach to anyone who’s interested.
At the time of writing, Lee Zii Jia has not given any comments regarding his coach’s departure. After the news broke out, former athletes and coaches weigh in on the young athlete’s controversial decision to go on without a coach. Former international badminton player and coach Rashid Sidek said that coaches are needed as they have different perspectives on the match.
Meanwhile, Ong Ewe Hock, another former badminton player, believes that Lee Zii Jia will need to appoint a new coach if he were to continue to progress to the highest level. Can the rising badminton star survive without a coach by his side? Only time will tell.
