PETALING JAYA: Talented young shuttler Dania Sofea Zaidi (pic) will undergo surgery in her left knee today.
Dania suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in her left knee during the Under-18 Mixed Team Championships final in Penang a month ago.
Upon advice from doctors from the National Sports Institute (NSI) and discussions with coaches at the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), surgery was deemed the best course of action for the 17-year-old.
Dania’s father Zaidi Mohamad hopes that his daughter’s surgery will be successful.
“I’m praying that my daughter safely undergoes surgery today and recovers from this injury,” said Zaidi.
“Hopefully, she returns to court and continues to achieve success. I want to thank BAM, Johor Badminton Association and all other parties, who have helped Dania.”
Dania is currently one of the country’s most promising doubles shuttlers.
The Johor lass memorably captured silver in the girls’ doubles with Low Zi Yu in the World Junior Championships last year.
The pair also won their maiden senior title in the Slovak Open in May.
The versatile Dania has also formed a promising partnership with Datu Anif Isaac in the mixed doubles.
Her injury comes as a blow as it not only halts Dania’s fine progress this year but also dashed her hopes of competing in the World Junior meet this year which will be held soon from Oct 6-19 in Guwahati, India.
It was especially cruel as it was supposed to be the youngster’s last appearance in the World Juniors before she permanently moves up to the senior level.
With Dania ruled out of the meet, BAM coaches are trying to find partners for Anif and Zi Yu.
