KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 — National men's singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong has been diagnosed with a back muscle tear after undergoing a checkup at the National Sports Institute (NSI) today.
Badminton Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh confirmed the matter, adding the 23-year-old is ruled out for the India Open from January 16 to January 21.
"I was informed by (national men's singles coach Datuk) Tey Seu Bock a while ago that Ng has completed his checkup at the NSI and it was found he suffered a back muscle tear.
"For now, (he has only) withdrawn from the India Open, but for the following week's Indonesia Masters (January 23 to January 28), the coaches will continue to monitor his condition (before making a decision),” he told the press during the ongoing 2024 Malaysia Open badminton championships at the Axiata Arena.
World number 15 Ng had to retire when trailing 8-12 to Japan's Koki Watanabe in the first game of their first-round match on Wednesday (January 10) with a suspected back injury when he leapt to execute a smash.
His defeat means Malaysian men's singles players advanced to the second round after professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia also crashed out in the opening round, losing 21-16, 19-21, 15-21 to Lu Guang Zu of China on Tuesday (January 9).
It is hoped that Ng will recover quickly and regain his best form in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour to confirm his place in the 2024 Paris Olympics, from July 26 to August 11.
With Lee in 11th spot in the Race to Paris standings, 13th-placed Ng must ensure he stays within the top 16 of that ranking.
Each country can have a maximum of two representatives in the singles event if they are placed within the top 16 at the end of the Olympic qualifying period, which ends on April 28.
Meanwhile, Akademi Badminton Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky said Ng will need several weeks to recover from the lower back muscle tear.
“He will undergo the necessary treatment to help him recover. For the time being, we are focused on his treatment and (will) closely monitor his progress. We hope he will recover soon and be back in action in several weeks,” he said in a statement.
He added that is too soon to discuss about Ng's participation in the Indonesia Masters from January 23 to January 28.
— Bernama
