Kuala Lumpur, Feb. 8: Superstar shuttler Lee Chong Wei is said to be considering quitting the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) because of a frosty relationship with technical director Morten Frost of Denmark, local media reported on Wednesday.
The tension between the two has been long-standing, and the last straw that broke the camel’s back was a knee injury that Lee suffered on Saturday when he slipped and fell at the newly-opened Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, Xinhua news agency reported citing The Star.
“This injury could have been avoided,” Lee said. “I told my coach Hendrawan about the slippery condition after Chong Yee Han fell last week. I wasn’t comfortable playing on it and so did the other players.”
Lee added that he had told Hendrawan to inform Frost and BAM general manager Lawrence Chew about the slippery mat at the new court, but nothing was done.
The 34-year-old tore the medial collateral ligament on his left knee and will miss the All England Championship slated from March 7 to 12.
According to the report from The Star, the World No.1 was angry about Frost after the unexpected injury.
“I’ve lost my patience with Morten. This injury is the last straw,” said Lee.
“What’s even more hurtful was the way Morten handled my injury. Instead of asking about my condition, he asked my coach (Hendrawan) whether I would retire ... why?
“Doesn’t he want me to play on? I’m hurt.”
In addition, the report said the unhappiness between the duo was unveiled during the build-up to the Rio Olympic Games when Frost stopped the junior players from sparring with Lee. The three-time Olympic runner-up questioned the rationale behind the Dane’s decision to divide the men’s singles players into two groups.
“Morten does not want me to spar with the juniors ... why? When I was a junior, I sparred with my seniors. He did this even before the Olympic Games,” said Lee.
“And why break the team into two? Won’t the juniors benefit by sparring with the seniors?
“Now, I’ve lost my patience and I’m angry ... if there’s no solution, I’ll quit BAM.”
On his part, Frost said “It’s best that I don’t comment” when he was contacted.
