KUALA LUMPUR — Actress, model, and television presenter Amelia Henderson felt disheartened by the absence of independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia at the recently concluded Malaysia Open, as the player missed the Super 1000 due to an injury.
Amelia, a devoted badminton fan, was present at Axiata Arena, where she cheered enthusiastically for the players and engaged with the crowd.
Speaking to Scoop, Amelia shared her admiration for Zii Jia, one of her favourite shuttlers.
The actress, who starred in Pisau Cukur, Pulau, and Harimau Malaya: The Untold Journey, said he has the potential to be the next superstar in Malaysian badminton, following in the footsteps of Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
“I grew up watching Chong Wei, and for me, he’s the greatest of all time. After him, I would say Zii Jia has everything it takes to continue the legacy Chong Wei built over the years.
“I really missed Zii Jia’s presence at the Malaysia Open. Based on his current form, I believe he would have had a great chance of winning this tournament.
“His style of play, powerful smashes, and remarkable techniques make him truly amazing. I’m a big fan of his, and it’s heartbreaking to see him sidelined by injury.”
Zii Jia’s absence from this year’s Malaysia Open was due to a right ankle ligament injury sustained at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last month.
Despite Zii Jia’s absence, Amelia found joy in watching the tournament and the inspiring performances of Malaysia’s national shuttlers.
“Players like Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei played exceptionally well this year. They continue to inspire Malaysians, and it’s great to see so many families here supporting our athletes. I hope this trend continues in the years to come.”
Amelia also shared her personal connection to badminton, a sport she has loved since her school days.
“I used to play badminton back in school. While I wasn’t skilled enough to compete at the state or national level, my passion for the game has stayed with me. Whenever I have time, I play with friends—it’s a fun way to stay active.
“This is my second year attending the Malaysia Open, and I’ve been here since day one. I love supporting our athletes and being part of the excitement. As fans, the least we can do is show up and offer our energy to the shuttlers.
“We need to stay positive about our athletes. If Malaysians don’t support them, who else will?” — January 13, 2025