The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) revealed they had gone to the extent of offering Goh Jin Wei overseas expertise to treat her prolonged stomach ailment, but the national women’s singles shuttler just could not continue playing professionally.
Goh announced her shock retirement from the sport on Monday, citing health reasons for deciding to hang up her racquet in a seven-minute long video on her YouTube page.
The two-time former world junior champion was only last week announced by the BAM as part of their Uber Cup team in October.
“When we discussed her medical problems, I told her I am willing to get her overseas treatment. That was my offer, she said she will think about it.
“Along the way, Wong Choong Hann [national coaching director] and Kenny Goh [secretary-general] were also talking to her and her mother,” said BAM president Norza Zakaria.
The president added he called Goh when he first heard of her intentions to quit on August 16.
“She said it’s due to the medical issues after her surgery as she cannot stand the rigorous training regime. I was with her when she did her surgery, I thought she had improved, but it took a toll on her,” he added.
National men’s doubles shuttler Soh Wooi Yik expressed his sympathy with Goh’s situation, saying he knew how much training had become an uphill task for her as she had to reduce her food intake due to her health.
Several of Goh’s national team-mates, including Lee Zii Jia, Lai Pei Jing and Soniia Cheah, wished her the best for the future.
“I will move forward to help achieve my little sister’s dream. This is the only thing I can promise you right now. You are brave, you don’t need to be sad,” said Lee.
In Goh's absence, the national contingent will rely on the likes of S.Kisona, Eoon Qi Xuan and K. Letshanaa to shoulder the women’s singles challenge at the Sudirman Cup (September 26-October 3) and Uber Cup (October 9-17).
