USED and then tossed away. That's how squash player Low Wee Wern and her team feel after being discarded from the national programme.
The former world No 5 was the highest-profile casualty axed from the programme following the National Sports Council's (NSC) directive to downsize full-time athletes from 432 to 288 due to budget cuts.
The Penang-born was one of 10 players dropped from the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia's (SRAM) full-time programme.
The others were Lai Wen Li, Ooi Kah Yan, Nur Maisara Azlan Shah, Danial Nurhaqiem, Wee Ming Hock, Adam Agan Aziz, Shamiel Haeyzad Sharulhisam, Shauqi Halim and Fayyad Wajdi.
Apart from the US-based Wen Li and Kah Yan, who were in the Podium 2 programme, the others were all backup players.
But it is the discarding of Wee Wern, a proven fighter on court and a model professional that has left some rumblings.
Wee Wern is after all only one of two players in Malaysia who has ever reached the top five in the world, the other being eight-time world champion Nicol David.
Apart from being a consistent top-10 player before an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to her left knee in 2015, Wee Wern was also the only other Malaysia who had tasted success on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour with her 2014 China Open triumph.
She was also a key figure in Malaysia's success at the Asian Games for many years and also played an important role in the nation's historic run to finishing second at the Women's World Team Championships in 2014.
Wee Wern, however, suffered another injury, this time to the right knee, and was forced to undergo another surgery in a bid to be fit for this year's Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
But that sacrifice is now for nothing as the NSC have deemed her surplus to requirements.
And Wee Wern was unable to hide her frustration at how poorly she was treated by the decision-makers in an interview with Timesport yesterday.
"It definitely feels like I've been used and then tossed away," said Wee Wern, who is currently in her rehabilitation stage following her surgery.
"I have given up so much for the country and made so many sacrifices throughout the years. I had scholarships to study in the United States when I was young, but I turned them down because I wanted to play squash for Malaysia.
"And it's just really frustrating the way the NSC have done things as they didn't even have the decency to sit down and have a discussion with me about it.
"I'm not feeling bitter. There is no point to be bitter, but I just feel disrespected after everything I've done.
"After all, I've proven that you can reach the top five in the world despite training in Malaysia and not going overseas.
"That has certainly opened the doors for local players and coaches, but now the NSC have shown that there is no point wanting to do well."
Wee Wern's coach, Aaron Soyza also did not hold back in criticising the decision.
"We feel it is very disrespectful as Wee Wern is not just any player who is trying to make her mark," said Aaron.
"She has made her mark and has been one of the elite players who has been on the leanest budget.
"We understand the budget cuts, but the least they could do is to have a dialogue with us as we are not even asking for much. There was zero communication right until after the decision was made.
"It feels to us that Wee Wern is paying the price for being an obedient national athlete who has always followed the rules, and the NSC took the easy way out by telling SRAM to handle her.
"It's fair play to SRAM, who firmly told us they wanted to retain Wee Wern and are not writing her off but we understand their hands are tied too.
"This, however, really sets a bad precedent for future generations and will discourage parents from allowing their kids to get into squash in the long run."
With all odds stacked against her, Wee Wern is now contemplating her future decision but has ruled out retiring from the sport in the immediate future.
"Right now, the plan is definitely to get back up to full fitness again, but there is no rush now since I'm out of the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games," said Wee Wern.
"I'm fortunate enough to have some sponsors who have been kind in their support, and SRAM are also willing to help me out in some aspect going forward.
"I've also renewed my PSA membership for another year, so I will be looking to compete again and see where it goes from there.
"But I also have more freedom now since I'm not obligated to Malaysia anymore. I will see what opportunities come my way in the future."
Low Wee Wern is one of the highest-profile casualties as NSC cut down on the number of full time national athletes.
(From left) Lai Wen Li, Ooi Kah Yan and Wee Ming Hock are among those axed from the programme.