National men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong . — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei has suggested that national men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong seek treatment abroad in a bid to recover fully from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
It is understood that Chong Wei met Tze Yong last Saturday to offer encouragement and explore the best possible options to help the 24-year-old revive his career.
Tze Yong is currently undergoing prehabilitation to strengthen his knee and surrounding muscles ahead of surgery.
However, Chong Wei believes post-surgery treatment abroad could lead to a more effective recovery.
"This is a crucial period for him. For any athlete, injuries are the biggest fear. I’ve tried to motivate him, but the most important thing is his own will to bounce back from this setback," said Chong Wei, a member of the Road to Gold committee.
"At the same time, I’ve spoken to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) about the possibility of sending him overseas for treatment, perhaps in Germany to give him another shot at recovery.
"BAM will hold further discussions with the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the National Sports Council (NSC) to explore the best medical and rehabilitation support for him."
Chong Wei also advised Tze Yong not to rush his return to competition, warning that a premature comeback could worsen his condition if recovery is not handled properly.
"He needs more time to heal. There’s no need to hurry back onto court. He already had a recurring back injury earlier this year, and now he’s dealing with a serious knee issue.
"I know his back is still not fully strong, and he relies heavily on his legs that may have contributed to the ACL injury.
"I told Tze Yong that he needs to undergo surgery and focus fully on a proper recovery process," said Chong Wei.
Chong Wei also consulted former NSI director general Dr Ramlan Aziz to discuss a potential recovery plan for Tze Yong, with hopes that he can return to the national team, possibly in time for the Thomas Cup next year. However, this would ultimately depend on BAM’s planning.
Tze Yong’s latest injury could not have come at a worse time. He suffered the ACL tear during the first round of the Malaysian Masters two weeks ago while facing Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
It was only his fourth tournament of the year, having just returned from a lengthy layoff due to a recurring back injury.
More worrying still, his world ranking has plummeted to No. 199, and he is no longer eligible to apply for a protected ranking anytime soon, having already done so recently for his back injury.
