Sani: Chong Wei still the man to beat

OLYMPIC Council of Malaysia (OCM) deputy president Datuk Seri A. Sani Karim has reminded the public not to write off Lee Chong Wei's chances of winning gold at next month's Olympics.

Olympic Council of Malaysia deputy president Datuk Seri A. Sani Karim (centre) makes a putt at the official launch of the World Golfers Championship Malaysia at KLGCC yesterday. Looking on are (from left) Delta Trend Golf and Leisure Holidays golf director Kuldip Singh, Delta Trend managing director Isac Saminathan, Malaysian Golf Association vice-president Low Teck San, Perodua Sales and Marketing director Zahari Husin and Auto Finance Am Bank’s Shaharudin Ismail. Pic Yazit Razali

Sani, when met at the launch of the Perodua World Golfers Championship (PWGC) at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) yesterday, did not rule out the possibility of Chong Wei making a 100 per cent or near-full recovery before the Games.

"We need to wait another two to three weeks to get a clearer picture of Chong Wei's situation and must not be quick to write him off," said Sani.

"If he can make a full recovery or is even at 90 per cent, I believe he can still be a contender in London and I am sure all is being done to help him return to full fitness."

Chong Wei, who suffered an ankle injury while competing in the Thomas Cup in China last month, has been confirmed to have only suffered a ligament tear and not the Achilles tendon tear as first feared.
He has since returned to light training at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Sani praised the organisers of the PWGC for providing an accessible competitive platform for amateur golfers in the country.

"This event helps promote a healthy lifestyle by promoting sports to the masses, in line with the OCM's 'sports for all' initiative, and also allows for amateurs to take their game to a higher level."

The tournament, which is expected to attract over 1,000 golfers, will feature 12 qualifying legs at various golf clubs across the country and will kick-off on June 16 at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort, Penang.

The grand finals will be held at KLGCC on Oct 18 from which five golfers will be selected to represent the country at the World Golf Championship (WGC) finals in Durban, South Africa on Oct 27-Nov 3 where they will face-off against the finalists from 41 other competing nations.

Malaysia won the WGC title in their debut season in 2005 and repeated the feat the following year but have yet to lift the trophy since.




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