PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto has been forced to revisit his plans following Toh Ee Wei’s injury, with the World Championships in New Delhi in August and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in September fast approaching.
The Indonesian admitted the setback has disrupted preparations for Malaysia’s top pair, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, but stressed that the coaching team must be ready to adapt.
“Of course it affects our plans because the World Championships and Asian Games are just around the corner.
“But situations like this are normal in badminton. As coaches, we have to be prepared and have other options ready,” said Nova after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei made history by becoming Malaysia’s first mixed doubles world champions after defeating China’s Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin in the final in Paris last year.
However, with Ee Wei facing a serious injury, the pair are unlikely to defend the world title they won last year.
It would be a major blow for Malaysia as there are currently no other national mixed doubles pairs qualified for the World Championships, with Liew Xun-Ho Lo Ee sitting 18th on the reserve list.
As it stands, independent pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie are set to be Malaysia’s only representatives in the mixed doubles event in New Delhi.
“For the World Championships, it is based on ranking. We cannot make changes. Whatever ranking we have, that is it.
“It is like an invitation from the BWF.
“If we qualify, they invite us, and that is all,” added Nova.
Adding to the uncertainty, the national camp are still waiting to learn the full extent of Ee Wei’s injury and whether surgery will be required.
“So far she looks okay, but we still don’t know the full details.
“There have been reports about an ACL injury and we are still discussing the matter with the doctors to find out whether surgery will be necessary,” he said.
