BE PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE EXIT

Chong Wei’s future will depend on how well he recovers from cancer

LIKE it or not, the Malaysian badminton fraternity must be prepared should Lee Chong Wei decide to hang up his racquet.

This comes after news broke last week that the former World No 1 is down with early stage nose cancer.

National men’s singles coach Hendrawan said it is still too early to discuss about Chong Wei’s future, but there is every possibility that the 36-year-old could quit.

Chong Wei, who became aware of his condition in July, is currently in Taiwan seeking treatment and is expected to return home later this month.

Hendrawan, who visited the shuttler recently, along with Chong Wei’s former coach Tey Seu Bock, said he has been responding well to treatment but there has been no talk on when the three-time Olympic silver medallist would return to court.

“So far there has been no discussion on Chong Wei’s future, but it is only right, because at the moment, playing badminton or getting back on court is not his priority.

“All of us just want to see him recover,” said Hendrawan at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara yesterday.

“However, like it or not, everybody here at BA of Malaysia must be prepared for the worst. Things like this can happen to anyone and there is nothing we can do about it.

“Yes Chong Wei will be back soon, but if the doctors are against him playing competitive badminton again, then he may just retire.”

Hendrawan added that all matters pertaining to the men’s singles department will only be looked into upon Chong Wei’s arrival.

“Like I said, we can’t really make any decisions right now. Of course we will all have to sit and discuss with head coach Misbun (Sidek), but let’s cross that bridge when we get there.”

Seu Bock, who is currently the women’s singles head coach, said he was lost for words when he first saw Chong Wei in Taiwan.

“I must admit I was shocked when I first saw Chong Wei after he started his treatment. He looks thin. Of course, Hendrawan and I were not there to make him feel worse, so we tried to cheer him up.

“He is a fighter. Despite his condition, Chong Wei has not given up hope. In fact before we left, he said wait for his return,” said Seu Bock.

On Saturday, BAM issued a statement confirming that Chong Wei has nose cancer.

NSTP Sport first reported about Chong Wei’s absence from training after the shuttler returned from the Indonesia Open in July.

Just a week before heading to Jakarta, Chong Wei clinched his 12th Malaysia Open title in Bukit Jalil.

After learning of his condition, Chong Wei was withdrawn from the World Championships in Nanjing in July and the Asian Games in Indonesia last month.