KUALA LUMPUR: Dania Sofea Zaidi is not complaining though she has to continue training separately from her doubles partner, Low Zi Yu.
The Johoreans, despite little practice together, impressed by winning the girls' doubles silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Nanchang on Sunday.
Dania, 17, has been attached to Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) since January while the 14-year-old Zi Yu stays and trains in Segamat.
"We will try to win the gold next year, but we don't mind continuing under this arrangement. Zi Yu is still young and may not join the national squad yet and we are OK with this," said Dania.
"We were quite surprised to win silver without much practice and this has also given me the confidence to continue in doubles although I used to focus on the singles.
"Zi Yu and I will try training together whenever we can.
"Despite her age, Zi Yu is the calming factor and this has also helped in our performance."
Zi Yu, who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in May, is restricted from undergoing strenuous physical activity and is also expected to continue to be based in Segamat due to her condition.
However, this has not dampened Zi Yu's spirit of trying to end Malaysia's wait for gold in the girls' doubles at the World Juniors.
"We want to try our best to win a gold medal for Malaysia next year," said Zi Yu.
"My approach is always to be calm on court and never blame each other if there are mistakes. We like to listen to music to relax and remain positive."
Zi Yu's father Darren Low said that the BA of Malaysia's (BAM) current arrangement of allowing her to stay with her family and train with the national juniors during weekends and school holidays would be ideal for his daughter.
"I really appreciate the flexibility given by BAM to allow Zi Yu to remain and also be part of the national junior programme. This will also allow her to continue monitoring her health and have treatment," said Darren.
"Zi Yu and Dania are very close as they have travelled together to play for Johor in many junior events.
"I think they can get the chance to partner with each other whenever Zi Yu joins the national junior team."
The current arrangement seems to be the best available option with Dania also aware of her partner's age and health requirement.