Wee Wern’s comeback plan disrupted

PETALING JAYA: Low Wee Wern’s plan for a comeback on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour has hit a snag.

The National Sports Institute (NSI) has declared that Wee Wern is still unfit after she failed a recent physical test.

With that, Wee Wern will have to skip the Malaysian Tour Squash Circuit (SSJM) No. 5 in Penang from Feb 27-March 2.

The former world No. 5 has been sidelined for more than a year following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The 27-year-old picked up the injury in 2015 but suffered a complication in 2016. That saw her going for a second surgery and that further delayed her return.

Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam said it was unfortunate that Wee Wern had to prolong her comeback.

“She has been excellent in her recovery but the results from NSI’s physical tests are not up to expectations yet,” said Maniam.

“She’s not that far off but it’s just not close to NSI requirements.

“I understand that Wee Wern is frustrated. She is tough, she understands her body best and is ready to go.

“The medical team just want to be 100% sure. Wee Wern will go through another test on Feb 14 and Maniam is hoping for a positive outcome.

“We’re dependent on the NSI’s feedback to move forward. If they don’t give the green light, we can’t push forward with our plans,” said Maniam.

“Wee Wern has spent time trying to come back and I feel that it’s better to hold off one more event rather than mess it up and wait for another year.”

It will be a double blow for Malaysia if Wee Wern fails to clear the upcoming test.

Wee Wern has been named for the Asian Team Championships in Cheongju, South Korea, from March 21-25 and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April, alongside world No. 7 Nicol David, S. Sivasangari and Rachel Arnold.