Chong Wei has no plans to return home yet
CYBERJAYA: It looks like shuttler Lee Chong Wei will not be returning home anytime soon.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said that he has personally contacted the 35-year-old who said that he has no plans to return home yet.
“There have been reports by some that he (Chong Wei) would be back this Sunday but for everybody’s information, that is not true,” said Norza.
“I have personally contacted him on Wednesday and he said he has not yet planned to return to Malaysia.
“When he will return is up to him, because I think the treatment has been completed but he is still waiting for doctor’s advice to fly back home.”
The former world No. 1 is currently in Taiwan where he has been receiving treatment for early-stage nose cancer. It still remains uncertain if he will be able to return to the court.
But Norza assured that Chong Wei’s condition is on the bright side.
“His condition is positive and he is resting most of the time. The effects of the treatment are maybe making him uncomfortable so he must rest before he can be ready to return here.”
Norza who is also the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president was present to officially launch the 2018 Sepaktakraw League (STL) at Gem In Mall here yesterday.
The league will feature the five Asian Games gold medallists who will be the glittering attraction of the league. They won the men’s regu event in Indonesia in August to end the 24 years sepaktakraw gold drought at the Asiad.
The Penang Black Panthers boast Mohamad Azlan Alias and Syahir Rosdi, while Farhan Adam and Norhafizi Abdul Razak will don the red of Selangor.
For Terengganu Turtles, they will be led by Zulkifli Abdul Razak.
The three teams will be the ones to watch in the 10-team STL Premier Division that will span over eight weekends which began yesterday until Nov 25.
Another 10 teams will compete for the STL Division 1 title which will run over the course of three weekends from Nov 9-25.
All matches will be played at the Gem In Mall.