Soniia to turn the tide
shuttler Soniia Cheah wants to prove her detractors wrong.
And next month’s Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, Australia, is the best place to do it.
The 25-year-old has come under heavy criticism following her recent poor showing at the German Open and All England, where she was knocked out in the opening rounds.
The national champion is well aware that she will have to start delivering results, or her days with the national team could be numbered.
Soniia said yesterday: “Everybody is working hard, including my coaches (Tey Seu Bock and Rony Agustinus), who are very committed in helping me get back on track.
“I don’t want to think of what has happened in the past, but rather what will happen after this. To become a top player, one has to accept and face the pressure.
“My goal now is to do the best I can at the Commonwealth Games.”
Soniia, plagued by injuries in the past, was named for the Games, ahead of former world junior champion (2015) Goh Jin Wei, who has also been struggling to find her footing of late.
The other Malaysian shuttlers in the squad are former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei (men’s singles), Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men’s doubles), Chow Mei KuanVivian Hoo (women’s doubles), Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (mixed doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles).
Malaysia will begin their campaign in Australia with the mixed team event, where they are in Group D with Canada, Seychelles and Ghana.
Soniia’s biggest threat in the women’s singles will come from India, who boast of World No 3 P.V.Sindhu, while Canada and Scotland are also no pushovers.