It’s her fight to survive
Liu Ying all pumped up for comeback after receiving sponsorship boost
SERI KEMBANGAN: Shuttler Goh Liu Ying is all fired up to make a comeback after receiving a sponsorship boost.
Yesterday, the 28-year-old signed a oneyear contract as the brand ambassador of Mobile2go. Liu Ying will get a six-figure income from the mobile gadget and service store.
“I’m so grateful to Mobile2go for appointing me as their brand ambassador even before I take part in my first competition in six months. That’s a big motivation for me to go all out,” said Liu Ying.
Said Mobile2go director Chan Chee Fai: “Liu Ying is our ambassador because of her personality. She is a fighter. She keeps coming back after injuries and it’s great for us to be associated with her.”
Liu Ying has been out of competitions since April this year. She suffered a shoulder injury while partnering Chan Peng Soon in their first-round loss at the Malaysian Open. She then went for a surgery in May.
Before the injury, Liu Ying-Peng Soon were silver medallists at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and second at the All-England in March this year.
In her absence, Peng Soon has been paired with junior Cheah Yee See.
Liu Ying only returned to training last month. Her partner now is 2016 world junior bronze medallist Chen Tang Jie.
Liu Ying-Tang Jie have been entered for the fifth-tier India International Series in Hyderabad from Nov 23-26 and the fourthtier India International Challenge in Mumbai from Nov 29-Dec 3.
“I can’t wait to play again. It has been a long wait and I’m excited,” said Liu Ying.
“Tang Jie and I have been training together for almost a month. He is a very hardworking player and eager to learn. I’m also learning along the way.
“It takes time and some adjustments but I’m enjoying it. Tang Jie’s good attitude makes it easy for me.”
Liu Ying added: “It’ll be great to win a title with Tang Jie but I don’t want to rush into things. I’m a fighter and I believe that I’ll reach the top again.”
Liu Ying, however, has not ruled out the possibility of reuniting with Peng Soon for two major tournaments next year — the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, in April and the Asian Games in Jakarta in August.
“It all depends on the coaches. For now, I’m focused on making it work with Tang Jie.”