PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong (pic) will not be included in Malaysia’s squad for the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3 as he has yet to fully recover from a right knee injury.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei confirmed the matter, saying the association would not risk naming Tze Yong while he is still undergoing rehabilitation.
Chong Wei had previously hoped that Tze Yong could strengthen the national squad for the world team event, but has ruled out the 25-year-old based on his current condition ahead of the registration deadline on April 10.
“I don’t think he will be listed. He has not fully recovered yet. Kenneth Jonassen (national singles coaching director) will explain further later,” said Chong Wei.
Tze Yong has been out of competitive action for 10 months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee during the Malaysian Masters in May last year.
A month later, he was sent to Aspetar Hospital in Doha, Qatar, for surgery and only returned to the court in January, although he has yet to resume full training.
At the same time, Chong Wei said the association are likely to name four singles players and six doubles players for this year’s Thomas Cup.
BAM have already called up Paris Olympics bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin to strengthen the national squad.
The remaining two men’s singles spots are almost certain to go to Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh.
“Most likely we will bring four men’s singles players, with the rest made up of doubles players, but the names have not been finalised yet. We want a strong and stable line up,” he added.
