Wee Wern back in action after fever scare

Low Wee Wern (right), seen here with Nicol David in a squash doubles tournament at Bukit Jalil last month, has recovered from dangue fever and will be playing at the Commonwealth Games starting July 23 in Glasgow. - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: Low Wee Wern is back on her feet again – much to the relief of the Commonwealth Games-bound Malaysian contingent.

The national No. 2 squash player was hospitalised in Penang last week for dengue fever. There were fears that she could be sidelined for the Glasgow Games from July 23-Aug 3 – just like Lee Chong Wei. The world No. 1 shuttler was ruled out due to a thigh injury earlier this month.

Luckily for Wee Wern and Malaysia, she was discharged on Monday.
And she was back on court on Wednesday for her first training session.

“I’m still feeling weak after spending a few days in hospital. I’m much better now. I’ll definitely go to the Games. Right now, I can only perform light training sessions with my coach Aaron (Soyza),” said the 23-year-old Wee Wern.

Wee Wern is seeded fifth in the singles event and Malaysia are banking on her to win a medal. She will also play in the doubles with world No. 1 and gold prospect Nicol David.

Aaron believes Wee Wern will be back at her best when the squash competition starts on July 24.
“She has not trained for a few days, but there’s nothing to worry about. For us, it’s just like preparing for another tournament,” said Aaron.

“I think Wee Wern should at least reach the quarter-finals. That’s when the real test starts. If she can stay consistent, I believe she’ll be a medal contender,” he added.

Besides Nicol and Wee Wern, the other player competing in the individual event is national No. 3 Delia Arnold. Juniors Vanessa Raj and Rachel Arnold will only compete in the doubles event.

At the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Malaysia bagged a gold through Nicol in the singles event. Nicol also clinched a bronze, partnering Ong Beng Hee in the mixed doubles.

In Glasgow, Nicol will need to overcome the challenges of world champion Laura Massaro of England, world No. 4 Joelle King of New Zealand and world No. 5 Alison Waters, also of England, to retain her gold.

 by Kng Zheng Guan - The Star