Stand up and be counted: Ng Tze Yong in action against China’s Lu Guangzu in the first round.
THE men’s singles gold medal won at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 launched Wong Choong Hann’s career to another level.
Interestingly, Choong Hann was a replacement for then Nusa Mahsuri shuttler Roslin Hashim who withdrew from the Games.
Coincidentally, Ng Tze Yong is in the same boat as was the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) singles coaching director Choong Hann 24 years ago.
Tze Yong, 22, wasn’t even born when Choong Hann went on to win the gold and later became a world No. 1 and a World Championships silver medallist (2003).
A hamstring injury to Ong Ewe Hock, the favourite at the Kuala Lumpur 98 Games then, paved the way for Choong Hann to complete his golden debut.
This is the tale of a shuttler who used the opportunity to chart his course in his career and an encouragement for Tze Yong, who is a replacement for world No. 5 Lee Zii Jia for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games from July 28-Aug 8, to launch his own career.
It was Choong Hann who had given Tze Yong his second big break after falling short at the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok in May.
Tze Yong, will face the likes of Indian duo Lakshya Sen (No. 10), K. Srikanth (No. 11) and world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in Birmingham.
Choong Hann said that it would be an achievement for Tze Yong to earn a podium finish considering the competition.
“I took my chances then as I was able to compete with the field but it is a different reality for Tze Yong,” admitted Choong Hann.
“Taking the chance is one thing but we must also consider Tze Yong’s current level compared to the Indians and Kean Yew. Not thinking about gold, I would be glad to see him winning a medal in Birmingham.
“That would boost his confidence but to become a top class player, he needs to keep working hard and improve his performance.” Tze Yong, who gained a late entry into the Malaysian Open after several withdrawals, lost to China’s Lu Guangzu in the first round.
His inclusion also saved the blushes for BAM as he was the only player from the association to see action in the men’s singles as Zii Jia and Liew Daren are independent players.
Tze Yong will play in the qualifying rounds of the Malaysian Masters next week and Choong Hann hopes that Tze Yong will use the homeground advantage and progress to the main draw. Tze Yong has to stand up and be counted before others catch up and take over his slot for future assignments.
