Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh confirmed Zii Jia’s decision at a press conference today, Bernama reported.

“Zii Jia is not joining the programme for his own reasons. So we respect his decision,” she said, adding that the door remains open should he change his mind.

Zii Jia, currently ranked world No 15, was one of 16 athletes shortlisted for the RTG programme in April.

This marks the second time he has turned down the invitation, following a similar move last year ahead of the Paris Olympics, where he eventually won a bronze medal.

In a statement issued today, Team LZJ thanked the RTG committee, particularly Yeoh, for the opportunity.

“RTG is a programme reserved for the best of the best in the country, and since Zii Jia is still recovering from his injury, we feel that the appropriate assistance from the programme should be given to his fellow peers who are more deserving at this moment,” it said.