Rising star Ng Tze Yong is hoping to shrug off any lingering effects of the COVID-19 bout to play at the upcoming Asia Team Championships (February 15-20).
After excelling in his first tournament of the year at the India Open where he reached the semi-finals, Ng was dealt a blow at the Syed Modi International as he was forced to concede a walkover, and later tested positive for the disease.
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Ng was back in training after almost two weeks but yet to get back to full fitness.
“I struggled with gym training after recovering from COVID. I also lost some weight, and need to gain that back. But overall it’s been good and I am looking forward to the Asia Team Championships.
“I don’t want to think too much about my lack of preparations before playing. I am almost fully recovered and am looking forward to this. This is my first senior tournament playing in Malaysia and I hope the fans will come to support us,” he said.
After Lee Zii Jia’s exit from the national body, a comprehensive support system is set to gear towards grooming the Johor-born to become their next world beater.
Ng already displayed immense potential to fulfill that on the back of an exceptional 2021 season, which saw him bag three titles at the Polish and Scottish Open as well as the Belgian International.
Those victories have bumped him from 91st on the world rankings in July last year to 47th today.
At the upcoming Asian meet to be held at the Setia City Convention Centre, Ng should play in the second singles match after Lee.
The men’s team are scheduled to take on Singapore in their first group match on Wednesday, followed by Kazakhstan (February 17) and Japan (February 18).
The top two teams progress to the semi-finals, and automatically secure their berth at the Thomas Cup to be held in May.
