KUALA LUMPUR: After a year out in the wilderness, women's singles shuttler K. Letshanaa will rejoin the national badminton team on Wednesday.
It was confirmed by the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) today.
The 20-year-old first joined the national setup as a junior in 2019 and was promoted to the senior squad a year later.
However, a back injury in 2021 sidelined the Selangor-born for most of the season. It left her with little choice but to leave the national team.
Letshanaa, who bagged the Uganda International Challenge title on Sunday, made her competitive comeback last year, doing well to reach the final of the Malaysia Games.
ABM singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann told Timesport they welcome the move to have the talented shuttler back.
"We have been planning this (Letshanaa comeback) since February.
"I believe she will be more suited now as she has matured as a player.
"We have always kept a close watch on Letshanaa even after she left the national team," said Choong Hann.
The national body issued a statement confirming that Letshanaa would officially return to Bukit Kiara on March 1.
"BAM is delighted to have a player of her potential back with the national team. She will add depth and strengthen the women's singles team.
"We have been monitoring her progress during her recovery process. We are impressed with the commitment she has shown. BAM will work with her and assist in her development and progress," read the statement.
Letshanaa will be under the guidance of coach James Chua. The other national women's singles are Wong Ling Ching, Tan Zhing Yi, Siti Nurshuhaini Azman and Oo Shan Zi.