Indonesian Lilyana Natsir to miss the Sudirman Cup 2011 due to injury – Badminton News
Indonesia’s Mixed Doubles player, Lilyana Natsir, has been left out of the Indonesian squad for next week’s Sudirman Cup 2011, because of a severe injury in her hand.
World Champion, Lilyana, has been playing in many international events by carrying the wound with her. In the India Open Super Series, she played with this wound and the injury worsened in the final of the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold.
Lilyana confirmed to the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) that she is unable to recover from her elbow injury and will not be able to play in the Sudirman Cup, set to begin from May 22, in China.
After receiving the bad news from Lilyana, the head of Athletes Development of PBSI, Hadi Nasri expressed, “These are the hard truths we have to accept. Our mainstay shuttlers are not in a fit condition for the Sudirman Cup. Liliyana [Natsir] still cannot
use her hand. It’s likely Liliyana will need to stay at home for further treatment.”
Head coach of Mixed Doubles, Christian Hadinata said that the decision is yet to be finalised. He expressed that the final verdict will be made after doctor’s reports regarding Lilyana’s injury.
Hadi told that Lilyana damaged her hand in the India Open Super Series two weeks ago but still participated in the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold by carrying this injury.
Lilyana’s Mixed Doubles partner, Tantowi Ahmad, said that although they won both the events, her partner’s injury became worst after the Malaysia Open.
Tantowi said, “She was almost unable to play at the final in Malaysia but she persisted. The past few days since we’ve been home she has been unable to play. She can do mild training though such as jogging and is getting treatment from a masseur.”
While talking about the expected change of partnership in the Sudirman Cup, Tantowi added that his best partner is Lilyana but he will be ready to team-up with any other player to compete in the upcoming event.
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