Liu Ying ready to mentor Tang Jie in comeback

KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles shuttler Goh Liu Ying is looking forward to guiding a younger partner for the first time.

The 28-year-old Liu Ying is making a comeback after six months out with a shoulder injury and she has been given a new partner – 19-yearold Chen Tang Jie (pic).

They have been entered for two small tournaments – the India International Challenge in Mumbai from Nov 29-Dec 3 and the Maldives International Challenge in Male from Dec 5-10.

“This is the second time that I’m making a comeback after a long break. It’s getting harder to start all over again,” said Liu Ying, who took an eight-month break in 2014 after surgeries to both her knees.

That break proved good as she bounced back stronger to win a silver medal with Chan Peng Soon at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. They also finished as runners-up at the All-England in March before she injured her shoulder.

“I’ve been training for the last three weeks but I’m still not 100% fit yet. I still need to improve on my strength.

“My first challenge is to form a good partnership with Tang Jie. Unlike Peng Soon, this is the first time that I’m playing with a junior and I’m quite thrilled by it.

“I was on the opposite side of the court against Tang Jie during the mixed doubles at the Malaysian Purple League last year. He’s quite a good attacking player,” she said.

Meanwhile, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)’s general manager Michelle Chai confirmed that Tang Jie was among the six players from Petaling Badminton Club (PBC) who have confirmed their places in the national set-up.

“They’ve been given letters and we’re waiting their confirmations. Our coaches have made all the arrangements to ease them into the team,” said Michelle.

The other five are men’s doubles shuttlers Man Wei Chong, Kwek Yee Jian, Soh Wooi Yik, Tan Chee Tean and Ian Wong. Chee Tean left BAM in June to join PBC.