KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — Malaysia’s hopes of claiming men’s badminton single gold medal for the seventh consecutive time since 1990 in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glassgow, Scotland looks dim as defending champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei (pic) will likely be out of action.
The two-time Olympics silver medallist Chong Wei sustained a thigh injury during the Indonesian Open last month and had received treatment at the National Sports Institute (NSI).
National chief coach Rashid Sidek said even though Chong Wei’s injury was not serious, it could aggravate if he were to take part in the Games from July 23-Aug 3.
“The physician (NSI CEO Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz) has advised Chong Wei not to participate in the Commonwealth Games this year.
“The coach can only make recommendations but BAM president (Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff) has the last say. Chong Wei’s absence will also affect the gold medal target in the team event.
“Chong Wei has also been pitted for two more major tournaments, namely the World Championship in Denmark from Aug 25 to 31 and the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea in September.
“He has to think about the championships which are more important than the Games,” he said when met at the Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara here today.
Malaysia clinched men’s single gold medal in the Commonwealth Games through Rashid Sidek in 1990 and 1994, Wong Choong Hann (1998), Hafiz Hashim (2002), and Chong Wei (2006 and 2010).
The first national badminton ace to win men’s single gold medal was Tan Aik Huang in 1966 followed by the late Datuk Punch Gunalan in 1974.
In another development, Rashid said he might not be joining the badminton squad in Scotland due to personal problems.
“It’s not because of Chong Wei, but I’ll decide whether to go or not before the players depart for Scotland,” he added.
— BERNAMA
