Chong Wei to play after all
NST Online : 3 Disember 2008
By K. M. BOOPATHY
LEE Chong Wei’s bid for a record seventh straight national title remains on track after the shuttler decided he will compete in the National Grand Prix Finals in Alor Star on Dec 9-11.
Chong Wei, who withdrew from last week’s Hong Kong Open, had been contemplating doing the same in Alor Star due to a knee injury but has informed BA of Malaysia (BAM) general manager Kenny Goh that he will be present.
World No 1 Chong Wei, who is in Group A, is expected to meet Kuan Beng Hong in the semi-final while his opponent in the final is expected to be Hafiz Hashim.
Chong Wei has remained unbeaten on the local circuit since 2003 and equalled his coach Misbun Sidek’s feat of securing six national singles titles.
However, Misbun has seven titles overall, albeit a doubles title which he won with brother Jalani in 1980. Roslin Hashim is the only notable player who has decided to withdraw from the men’s singles.
In the men’s doubles, veterans Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah have also opted out due to the latter’s involvement in the Japanese league this month.
Their absence clears the path for Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong to clinch the title as main rivals Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari had failed to qualify.
Also missing are women’s doubles Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui who missed both the qualifying legs.
Wong Mew Choo, despite being troubled by a knee injury, starts favourite in the women’s singles and is likely to meet Julia Wong in the final.
