BAM retain ‘injured’ Chong Wei in Axiata Cup squad

KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will not drop Lee Chong Wei from the list of players for the Us$1mil Axiata Cup although he has not fully recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered at the All-england.

BAM general manager Kenny Goh said initial tests showed that Chong Wei’s injury was not serious and he would be able to play in the roundrobin team competition from Friday to Sunday at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras.

“We understand that the injury isn’t serious ... but we will wait for a full report from the doctor,” Kenny said yesterday.

Chong Wei was forced to retire during the second game of the AllEngland men’s singles final against Lin Dan of China due to the injury, handing Lin Dan his fifth title.

National Sports Institute (ISN) Director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz had said that the injury could take between three to five weeks to heal.

He also said that Chong Wei would undergo an ultrasound scan at ISN.

BAM will field two teams in the Axiata Cup — Malaysia Tiger and Malaysia Leopard — in the inaugural competition that features Asean countries.

Malaysia Tiger, who play in Group K with Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, comprise Chong Wei, Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, Liew Daren, Muhammad Arif Abdul Latif, Koo Kien Keat-tan Boon Heong and Goh V Shem-lim Kim Wah.

Malaysia Leopard, drawn in Group J with Singapore, Vietnam and Garuda (Indonesia), have Zulfadli Zulkifli, Iskandar Zulkarnain, Misbun Ramdan Misbun, Ow Yao Han-chooi Kah Ming and Teo Ee Yi-nelson Heg Wei Keat.

The tournament will be played in Malaysia and Indonesia.