Although national men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia has declined to join the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, his insights are helping shape better support for Malaysia’s professional athletes.Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who chairs the RTG committee, shared that Zii Jia offered useful feedback on injury management, training facilities, and tournament exposure during a meeting on June 3. She expressed appreciation for his input, which could benefit other professionals, including top doubles pairs Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.Zii Jia, who has his own full-time support team, chose to focus on recovery and allow more eligible athletes to take his place. Hannah said the RTG programme remains open to him in the future and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting all athletes striving for Malaysia's first Olympic gold.Currently, 12 athletes are part of the new RTG batch, including badminton medalists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, and debutants Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. Other athletes include weightlifter Mohd Aniq Kasdan, track cyclists Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati, and squash star S. Sivasangari.Additionally, Ng Eain Yow and three archers—Ariana Nur Dania, Syaqiera Mashayikh, and Nurul Azreena—are listed on the RTG fast-track programme.