BAM president Norza Zakaria said the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games gold medallist had expressed her intention to retire since last month due to her health issues.

“It’s definitely very saddening for us, but unfortunately because of medical reasons, we will respect the decision. We are building a new team. When I first heard about this, I called her for online discussions on Aug 16 and she said it is because of the medical issues after her surgery as she cannot stand the rigorous training regime.

“She said wanted to retire and move to the next phase of her life. We suggested to her that she could retire later, maybe after the Uber Cup (in October), but she announced earlier … I was with her when she did her surgery, I thought she had improved, but it took a toll on her,” he said.

Early today, Jin Wei surprised the badminton fraternity by announcing her retirement from the sport, citing long-term recovery after surgery to remove part of her colon due to a stomach ailment in 2019.

Norza said that, during the online meeting, he even tried to offer Jin Wei a chance to get treatment from foreign specialists to help her get back on track, similar to what mixed doubles player Goh Liu Ying did in Germany in 2017.

“When we discussed her medical problems, I told her that I am willing to get her overseas treatment, that was my offer, she said she would think about it. Along the way, (BAM coaching director) Wong Choong Hann and (secretary-general) Kenny Goh were talking to her and her mother,” Norza added.

BAM had in 2017 sent 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallist Liu Ying to Sportklinik in Halle, Germany for shoulder injury treatment.

Asked about Jin Wei’s replacement for the Uber Cup, scheduled from Oct 9-17 at Aarhus, Denmark, Norza said the other girls in the team – S Kisona, Eoon Qi Xuan, K Letshanaa and Siti Nurshuhaini Azman – will have to step up and fill the place vacated by Jin Wei.