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A heartfelt Facebook post by a medical doctor has gone viral for his touching poem dedicated to national shuttler Lee Zii Jia, offering words of comfort, encouragement, and solidarity
In a post on Sunday, 6 July, Dr Azhari Zhahir wrote a 17-stanza poem, titled "Pray for Lee Zii Jia", for the athlete.
The poem begins by recalling the pride Lee brought to the nation, particularly during his victory at the 2021 All England Open.
It reflects on the emotional highs of that moment: the unity it sparked among Malaysians and the hope he instilled in the hearts of many.
Dr Azhari then shifts the tone, highlighting the immense physical and emotional toll that often goes unseen. He writes of Lee's painful sacrifices — from enduring injuries to long, silent nights in hotel rooms — and the pressure of being constantly compared to national legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
As Lee's performance declined, the poem acknowledges how quickly the media and the netizens turned on him, criticising and mocking him without recognising his humanity. It empathises with his inner battles, loneliness, and the weight of expectation on a young athlete still trying to find his way.
The writer reflects on how the nation has failed to offer support when he needed it most, forgetting that even champions can break.
"Dan masa kau upload status gelap tu
kami patutnya berhenti.
Patutnya kami diam,
patutnya kami terus pandu kereta ke rumah kau,
bawa sup panas, letak tangan di belakang kau,
dan kata,
'Kalau kau nak menangis, nangis,
Kami tak perlukan juara hari ni,
kami cuma nak kawan kami hidup,'" Azhari wrote.
The poem ends with a heartfelt wish for Lee to find peace and strength. It expresses wishes that he receives love beyond applause, rest beyond the game, and hope even after the spotlight fades.
At the time of writing, the post has garnered over 5,000 likes and 860 shares
Many netizens thanked Azhari for his compassionate message and wished Lee strength in facing his challenges.
Last Thursday, 3 July, Lee posted 10 hand-drawn sketches depicting anxiety and dread
The shuttler shared the drawings without a caption, prompting speculation that the 27-year-old may be experiencing intense mental or emotional stress.
In response, the National Sports Council (NSC) issued a statement saying there was no cause for alarm
"They (Team LZJ) informed that there is nothing to worry about Zii Jia. Maybe Zii Jia, out of curiosity and so on, posted the pictures, or he is interested in that kind of art.
"However, we are always open to help if his team needs help from NSC or the National Sports Institute (ISN)," said NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin, reported Bernama.
Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has also expressed its willingness to support the independent shuttler.
In December last year, Lee injured his right ankle during the World Tour Finals. Since then, he has competed in only two tournaments, falling short of the semi-finals at the Orléans Masters and exiting in the Round of 32 at the All England this year.
