Questions mount as CBA chief misses world finals

Zhang Jun, head of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA), has reportedly been under investigation by disciplinary and supervisory authorities and has been out of public contact for over 10 days, according to the Economic Observer.

The report said the investigation concerns Zhang's work at the CBA, although some issues are reportedly connected to his work in Jiangsu province. Zhang also serves as the vice-president of the Nanjing Sport Institute, a public sports university in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province.

After Zhang lost contact, close relatives reportedly reached out to the Jiangsu provincial sports bureau for information. The source did not state whether any formal public notice, charges, or disciplinary findings have been officially issued.

Questions regarding his whereabouts escalated after his unexpected absence from the Chinese national team's trip to the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, the world men's and women's championships, in Denmark, where group-stage competitions began on Friday.

Neither the CBA nor the Nanjing Sport Institute has responded to media inquiries on Zhang's case.

Zhang, 48, has won Olympic gold medals in mixed doubles twice with partner Gao Ling at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games.

After retiring in August 2007, he joined the Chinese national team's coaching staff before he was elected the CBA president in January 2019. He was then re-elected chief of the sport's national governing body in August 2023.