PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s women’s badminton team have been hit by an injury concern just days before the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan hurt her left ankle in training.
The 19-year-old, who is set to make her Asian Games debut, suffered the injury last week and is now racing against time to be fit for the women’s team event, which begins on Sunday (Sept 20).
Noraqilah nevertheless travelled with the national squad to Aichi-Nagoya yesterday and hopes the next few days of rehabilitation will be enough to put her in contention to play.
“I’m feeling much better now compared with the first day, but I still don’t know whether I will be able to play,” said Noraqilah.
“I’ll have to wait and see how my condition is once I get there.
“I was a little sad when it happened, but I’m getting better now.''
The Melaka-born shuttler said the coaching team will continue to monitor her condition while she undergoes rehabilitation after arriving in Japan.
Despite the setback, Noraqilah is still hoping to get the chance to feature in at least one match at her first Asian Games.
“The coach told me that if I can’t play, then I shouldn’t force it. But they still want me to go there first and see how my condition is,” she added.
Her partner Low Zi Yu said she is prepared for any decision the coaches may make if Noraqilah is unable to play.
“I don’t know what the coaches are planning, so you’ll have to ask them. But I’m ready.
“What is certain is that I won’t be playing in the women’s singles,” said Zi Yu, who has previously competed in singles.
Besides Zi Yu-Noraqilah, Malaysia also have Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah in the women’s doubles, while mixed doubles players Cheng Su Yin and Shevon Lai Jemie have also been included in the women’s squad.
Malaysia are returning to the women’s team competition at the Asian Games for the first time since Incheon 2014.
