No more hush hush

Finally, Chong Wei to reveal all at a press conference today

KUALA LUMPUR: Will Lee Chong Wei make a sensational return to action and settle his unfinished business of pursuing an elusive Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games?

Or will the 36-year-old hang up the racquet for good – and be contented with the three Olympic silver medals won at Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016?

All that will be answered by Chong Wei when he speaks up for the first time today after his battle with nose cancer which was detected in July.

Chong Wei will address the media at a highly-anticipated press conference at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara today.

He has yet to provide an update on his health condition as well as his future since returning from Taiwan on Oct 7 after completing a two-month treatment there.

Apparently, Chong Wei, is set to play competitive badminton again.

It is learnt that while recuperating he has been quietly working on getting physically fit.

And in the past one month, those who visited Chong Wei have also given positive reviews of him and applauded him for his positive mindset.

Among them – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who’s also the patron of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria – had all previously shared on their Instagram accounts photos taken with Chong Wei appearing in good spirits.

Chong Wei himself has made it no secret that he intends to return to the court once he’s back in good health.

“I’ll get back to the badminton court as soon as possible,” said a determined Chong Wei to the StarSport and also in a video released by his sponsor Yonex on the Chinese social media platform Weibo in late July.

Chong Wei boasts of having an unrivalled fighting spirit and determination as was evident in his achievements in world badminton.

In May 2012, Chong Wei suffered a torn ankle ligaments at the Thomas Cup, but recovered superbly to claim silver at the London Olympics which took place less than three months later.

Chong Wei was also got back on his feet after an eight-month doping suspension in May 2015.

Chong Wei took just 13 months to work his way back to the world No. 1 spot in June, 2016.

He won nine titles along the way – besides claiming silver at last year’s World Championships in Jakarta and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

National men’s singles head coach Datuk Misbun Sidek said the door will always be open for Chong Wei’s return.

“I only have six shuttlers in my department now. Let’s see if Chong Wei can make it seven,” said a hopeful Misbun.

“The Chong Wei I know cares only about two things – badminton and family.

“I believe he will decide what’s best for him and what he really wants.”

Teammate Lee Zii Jia personally hopes Chong Wei will make a comeback.

“I would love to see him back. His return will give not only the national team a lift, but also a boost to the national badminton scene as a whole,” said Zii Jia.

“If he does return, I can’t wait to spar with him again.”