KUALA LUMPUR — National shuttler Ng Tze Yong has yet to finalise his decision on where to undergo surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), with Germany now possibly off the table and Doha emerging as a potential alternative.
This comes just a day after Scoop reported that the 25-year-old had opted for surgery in Germany, with partial financial support from the National Sports Institute (ISN) and further backing expected from the Johor state government.
However, a source close to the matter now claims the plan could change.
“Apparently, he is now not going to do it in Germany, but Doha I think,” the source told Scoop.
Efforts to reach ISN for clarification were unsuccessful, with one official stating they had “not heard anything yet” regarding a change in plan.
According to another individual familiar with the situation, Tze Yong is still weighing his options and may only make a final decision next week.
Tze Yong had sustained the injury during the first round of the Malaysia Masters in May. He was initially scheduled for surgery on June 16 at Sunway Medical Centre under the care of Dr Gan Eng Cheng, but later requested to have the procedure done overseas — originally in Germany.
Tze Yong, who missed most of 2024 due to a back injury and two operations, has now been dealt another blow just four tournaments in since his return to the circuit in April.
ACL recovery typically takes nine to 12 months or longer, and with Tze Yong unable to apply for a protected ranking under Badminton World Federation rules, the decision on where and how to undergo surgery becomes even more critical.
With his career once again hanging in the balance, all eyes are now on whether it will be Germany or Doha, or maybe somewhere new altogether — and when the decision will finally be made. – June 27, 2025