DAREN EARNS TICKET TO GAMES

Norza says player’s brilliant performance in Nanjing was the deciding factor

PROFESSIONAL shuttler Liew Daren has been given the responsibility of filling in for Lee Chong Wei at the Indonesia Asian Games. BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said the decision was made based on Daren’s performance at last week’s World Championships in Nanjing. The World No 39 took bronze following his semi-final defeat to eventual champion Kento Momota of Japan.

Chong Wei withdrew from the Asian Games due to illness and is now in Taiwan for treatment.

“We have made the change. As previously announced, Cheam June Wei was supposed to replace Chong Wei but we have decided on Daren as he did well in the world meet,” said Norza at yesterday’s official shoe sponsor event for the Asian Games contingent by Bata in Kuala Lumpur.

“Daren will compete in the team and individual (with Lee Zii Jia) events. We have assessed Daren’s medical report for his foot injury and it is not serious.”

Norza also said BAM have also decided not to make changes to the men’s doubles entries.

Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin will both represent Malaysia while Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik who made an impact in the world meet did not make the squad.

“We do not want to take the risk. Aaron-Wooi Yik are currently playing in the Vietnam Open and they are the top seeds.

“We do not want their fitness to be affected by having to play three tournaments in a row (world meet, Vietnam Open and Asian Games),” he added.