Kedah Open: Chong Wei to compete

LEE Chong Wei, who initially wanted to skip the Kedah Open on July 13-16 fearing that it may hamper his preparations for the World Championships in London on Aug 8-14, will compete in the tournament after all.
Chong Wei, the World No 1, confirmed he will play in Alor Star as this will be the only opportunity for him to qualify for the National Grand Prix Finals in December and earn his 10th consecutive national title.

All players gearing up for the World Championships, except for women's doubles Wong Pei Tty who is undergoing rehabilitation after her troubled knee acted up again, will be competing in Alor Star.
Chong Wei, last month, hinted that he may skip the event should it not be postponed but now has no choice but to compete.
"Although it is during the final phase of my preparations for the World Championships, I will play in the Kedah Open as I didn't play in the Kuala Lumpur Open earlier. I have no choice as I need to play to qualify for the GP Finals," said Chong Wei.

"I will continue training during the tournament in Alor Star. There is not much time left after the Kedah Open as we will be leaving for a training stint at the University of Bath on Aug 26."
National singles coach Rashid Sidek confirmed that Chong Wei's training programme will continue as usual in Alor Star.

"The international calendar is so packed that there is no slot for the Kedah Open to be held later in the year. Chong Wei will play and train at the same time in Alor Star," said Rashid. "Since the local event will not be very taxing, his training will go on as usual."

BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai said the coaching and training committee (CTC), which meets today, will make a final decision on whether or not to exempt a World Championship-bound player from the Kedah Open.
The big worry is the risk that players could pick up injuries or fall ill with the tournament being held close to the World Championships and Chong Wei, in prime form and a good bet to win in London, would not want to chance anything.

However, the CTC is also unlikely to make any exemptions as Chong Wei is the main draw card in any local tournament and BAM will want him to play in Alor Star.

The draw for the Kedah Open will be conducted tomorrow.
Courtesy of New Straits Times