Jawairiah in danger of missing Games
JAWAIRIAH Noordin could be ruled out of next month’s Kuala Lumpur Sea Games due to a right knee injury.
Regarded as Malaysia’s most decorated player since Khoo Chin Bee, the 27-year-old suffered a minor ligament tear recently and she is now racing against time to recover for her fifth Sea Games outing.
Jawairiah’s inclusion in the Sea Games squad is crucial in the quest of winning a medal in tennis.
Gold medals will be offered in the men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles.
The Penang-born has been advised by the National Sports Institute (NSI) to rest and undergo rehabilitation until the Sea Games.
Jawairiah has already withdrawn from the Asia/Oceania Fed Cup Group Two in Tajikistan, which starts tomorrow.
The Fed Cup team now comprise former national champion Aslina Chua, S. Theiviya and Australian-based Uma Nayar.
National women’s coach Adam Jaya said Jawairiah is, however, making progress but her inclusion in the Sea Games will depend on NSI’s recommendation.
“Jawairiah should be fit for the Sea Games. We have told her to rest. She is our hope in the Sea Games together with the others,” Adam told Timesport yesterday.
Jawairiah has never won an individual medal in the Sea Games. Her best achievements were the team bronze medals in the 2007 (Korat), 2009 (Vientiane) and 2015 (Singapore) editions.
She also played in the 2011 Palembang edition but failed to finish on the podium.
She did well last season by winning the doubles titles in the fifth leg of the Sharm El Sheikh Open (with Theiviya) and the Hua Hin Open (with Indonesia’s Jessy Rompies) and also reached the singles semi-finals in the first leg of the Sharm El Sheikh.
Jawairiah ended 2016 as the national No 1 in singles and also achieved her career high ranking in doubles of No 749 in the WTA Tour.
Adam said depending on the progression of her recovery, Jawairiah will play in the singles and doubles (with Theiviya) events in the Sea Games.
Understandably, Adam is not setting a high target for the Fed Cup.
“The Fed Cup is part of the preparations for the Sea Games. The three players will get quality matches in Tajikistan,” Adam added
National head coach Mulyadi Jamal said Jawairiah has started hitting balls but she still cannot push herself too hard in training.
The men’s team, comprising Assri Merzuki, Ahmed Deedat Abdul Razak, Koay Hao Sheng and Christian Didier Chin, are in Colombo, Sri Lanka for the Asia/Oceania Davis Cup Group III, which starts today. Ajitpal Singh