Zii Jia, the current men’s world number four, conveyed his wish to bring home the ultimate prize in the world’s biggest multi-sports games in France at a meeting with youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh earlier today.

In a Facebook post, Yeoh said Zii Jia, who is among 15 athletes placed under the “Road to Gold” (RTG) initiative, was grateful to be included in the programme.

“Zii Jia told me he really wants that first gold medal in Paris 2024 for the country. It was a positive meeting. This is what I want to hear from our athletes, it starts with that desire for gold,” she said.

RTG Coordinator Stuart Ramalingam was also present at the meeting.

Yeoh said Stuart would discuss with Zii Jia’s agent on the details of his involvement in the RTG programme which would include coaching and sparring.

Apart from the 25-year-old shuttler, five other representatives from badminton are in the RTG programme, namely men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik; national number one women’s pair Pearly Tan-M Thinaah and three professional pairs – Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (mixed); Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (mixed) and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (men).

The other athletes under the RTG programme are track cycling ace Azizulhasni Awang, his teammate Shah Firdaus Sahrom, and divers Pandelela Rinong and Nur Dhabitah Sabri.

The 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to Aug 11, next year.

Former national badminton champion Lee Chong Wei made it to three consecutive men’s singles finals at the Olympics but ended with three silver medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016.