MEN’S doubles shuttler Teo Kok Siang will be out of the game for a good three months, after fracturing his right elbow in a car crash on Jan 29, just two days before the Chinese New Year celebration.
The 23-year-old, together with his brother who was on the wheel and father, were on their way back to their hometown in Batu Pahat, Johor when a car from the opposite direction crashed into their Toyota Camry.
“I was asleep in the back, and we were about 15 minutes from reaching our destination. My brother was driving and it was only a lane on each side of the road. A car from the opposite direction was suddenly on our lane and crashed into us,” Kok Siang told sports247.my
“My father and brother are fine as there were airbags in the front, I wasn’t so lucky because I used my right hand to support myself at impact,” he added, mentioning he will be under rehabilitation for the next three months.
Kok Siang who partners Ow Yao Han, was initially listed to compete in the Indonesia Djarum Superliga in Surabaya which begins tomorrow.
“I was supposed to be with our team (Malaysian Tigers) to Indonesia, but with this injury, I will also be out of the China International Challenge from Feb 11-16,” said Kok Siang, who went under the knife at the Batu Pahat Pantai Hospital that same night of the accident.
This will definitely come as a huge blow to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), who already have a number of long-term casualties including mixed doubles specialist Goh Liu Ying, who will also be out for a minimum of six months when she undergoes surgery on both her knees.
What makes it worse is the men’s doubles department are already in turmoil, following the suspension of top pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong from any tournament till a decision is made by the national body on their future.
Kok Siang who has been hoping to settle down with a permanent partner will now have to wait again, as Yao Han will most probably be partnered with someone new.
“I don’t know who Yao Han will partner next, but BAM will definitely decide on that,” Kok Siang explained.
He also admitted the mood at home was not the best during the New Year celebration.
“Surely it’s not the same with the accident, but after a couple of days it’s now a little better.”
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