KUALA LUMPUR: The BA of Malaysia (BAM) are hopeful that former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei will return to competitve action soon.
On Wednesday (today) Coaching and Training (C&T) Committee chairman, Datuk Ng Chin Chai said Chong Wei has been in touch with the national body, and is happy with his ongoing treatment.
It is understood that the three-time Olympic silver medallist, who is linked to a career-threatening illness, is undergoing treatment in Taiwan.
"Chong Wei has been down so many times in the past, but he has always bounced back. He is a fighter.
"We are hopeful that he will play again," said Chin Chai, after chairing a C&T meeting at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
Chong Wei's illness came to light, when the 36-year-old skipped training for a week after the reaching the semi-finals of the Indonesia Open in July.
Subsequently. Chong Wei. who clinched his 12th Malaysia Open title (also in July) pulled out of last month's World Championships in Nanjing, China, and the recent Asian Games in Jakarta
In the shuttler's absence, the Malaysian badminton squad returned home empty handed for the first time since the 1986 Asiad in South Korea.
On how long would it take before Chong Wei makes a comeback, Chin Chai said: “So far according to him (Chong Wei), treatment may go on for another month, but we can’t confirm anything. Sometimes due to treatment, it may be difficult to come back immediately.”
When contacted through WhatsApp, Chong Wei responded by saying he is doing okay, and thanked everyone for their well wishes.