Ex-national number one Miew Kheng fails to make cut

JOHOR BARU: Former national number one women’s singles shuttler Wong Miew Kheng failed to make it into the main draw of the US$125,000 (RM475,000) Yonex-Sunrise Asian Badminton Championships which began with the qualifying round at the Bandaraya Indoor Stadium here yesterday. 

Miew Kheng was playing in her first tournament after an absence of almost two years. But her comeback came to a quick end when she was stopped by Taiwan’s Pai Min-jie, who won a three-set thriller 19-21, 21-19, 21-14.  

The Malaysian had earlier cleared the first hurdle without raising a sweat, beating Adhikary Konica Rani of Bangladesh 21-2, 21-10. 

“I am still rusty,” said Miew Kheng after her defeat.  

“Skills alone are not enough to win matches. I have to work extra hard on my game. The long layoff from the game has affected my game overall. 

“It is disappointing not to make the main draw but I am not going to lose any sleep over it. I am prepared to make a comeback and I am determined to walk the extra mile to achieve that.  

“Two years away from competition has made me rusty. But there is still plenty of badminton in me. The thrill of competing was there.” 

The Ipoh-born Miew Kheng underwent surgery for knee and ankle injuries two years ago and has been in rehabilitation since then. 

Miew Kheng played a key role for Malaysia when they qualified for the Uber Cup Finals in Jakarta in 2004 for the first time on merit. 

Malaysia finished as Group A runners-up in the Asian Zone qualifiers to book their place in the Finals. 

The others in the team then were Miew Kheng’s younger sister and Commonwealth Games singles silver medallist Mew Choo, Woon Sze Mei, Norsyahliza Baharom and Julia Wong. 

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) general manager Ganga Rao said that it was only a matter of time before Miew Kheng was back at her best. 

“It does not matter that she failed to make the main draw. She played fairly well in her first tournament in nearly two years. She had a tough opponent in the second round in the qualifier,” said Ganga. 

“I am confident she will make good. Making a comeback after a long rehabilitation programme is itself a plus point.  

“Miew Kheng is determined to make a comeback and credit to her.” 

As for Miew Kheng, she wants to be beside her sister and win international honours.