Women's singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching hard at work during a training session ahead of the Asia Team Championships. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Women’s singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching is not complaining despite having to train during Chinese New Year.
Ling Ching decided not to take a break during the festival as she wants to stay focused on her preparations for the Asia Team Championships from Feb 13-18 at the Setia Alam Convention Centre.
The 20-year-old is set to make her debut in the team meet which also acts as the qualifiers for the Uber Cup Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu, China.
“My coaches asked me if I wanted a break during Chinese New Year and I said no,” said Ling Ching after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.“We were given a half day break yesterday and this is enough for me.
“I didn’t want a holiday as the team meet is coming up. It’s normal for athletes to not get to celebrate big during festivals.
“Besides, I felt that it’s actually good for me to begin the new year by training. This might bring me some luck.”
Ling Ching, who is currently ranked No. 75 in the world, is looking forward to competing in the team meet for the first time.
“I’m excited to play in this tournament for the first time,” said Ling Ching.
“I hope I can bring out what I have trained so far during matches and make sure nerves don’t get the better of me.
“It’s going to be challenging for me as the other countries are set to field some of the best players in the world but I need to handle the pressure well.
“I hope to contribute a point for the team.”
The other singles players in the team are world No. 31 Jin Wei, K. Letshanaa (No. 56) and Siti Nurshuhaini Azman (No. 240).
Ling Ching and her teammates are set to face Thailand and minnows United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group Y.
The top two teams will qualify for the quarter-finals and the teams that make it through to the last four will be guaranteed a spot in the Uber Cup.
Ling Ching had her first taste of competing for the country in a team event last year when she was given the nod for the Asia Mixed Team Championships in Dubai, UAE and she believes that the experience will come in handy for her.
The youngster was surprisingly fielded ahead of the country’s No. 1 Goh Jin Wei in a match against India’s 2019 world champion P. V. Sindhu and showed promise despite coming out second best.
“Playing in the tournament last year was a great experience for me,” recalled Ling Ching.
“I got to play against a top player like Sindhu and it will definitely help a lot in the team meet this time.
“It will also be a bit different as I might have to play in the third singles which is the deciding match and I need to be prepared to take on this responsibility.
