PETALING JAYA: National mixed doubles shuttler Toh Ee Wei has urged partner Chen Tang Jie not to put his career on hold while waiting for her return.
The 24-year-old Ee Wei is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in her left knee, and there is no indication of when she will be able to reunite with Tang Jie on court.
Last year, the duo were in peak form and made the country proud by becoming the first Malaysian pair to win the world title.
“I told Tang Jie to play with whoever he can and not wait for my return because it will take a long time to recover from this ACL injury,” said Ee Wei, who picked up the injury at the Singapore Open quarter-finals last month.
“It’s not something that will take just one or two months. And who knows? Maybe he can go even further than he did with me?”
Tang Jie, 28, has been partnered with 19-year-old Clarissa San, and they are set to make their debut as a pair at the Japan Open from July 14-19 for a start.
Ee Wei was disappointed as she had hoped to defend her world title with Tang Jie in New Delhi August.
“Of course, I’m feeling down. This can happen to any athlete, and unfortunately has happened to me.
“I just need to move on and do my best to recover and get back on court.
“It’s too soon to confirm anything about the world champs, unless there’s some magic.
“I will have to talk to the surgeons in the next few days after my MRI scan to see what they say, and if surgery is needed, then that’s something I will discuss with the coaches.”
Ee Wei added that Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei have given her their full support.
She also said the National Sports Institute and Road to Gold (RTG) programme were looking into the best treatment options, including the possibility of heading overseas.
