Lee Chong Wei has lashed out at Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost over the latter's reaction to the shuttler's injury that will keep him out of All England Championships 2017.
The world number one suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear on Saturday when he was training at the newly-opened BAM academy in Bukit Kiara. Chong Wei, who had earlier said that he would wait go on playing till the 2017 Badminton World Championships and then assess his future, said he was irked when Frost asked the shuttler's coach, Hendrawan, whether the latest injury would force the three-time Olympic silver medallist to retire.
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Chong Wei also added that he had complained about the slippery nature of the mat at the new court in the academy but that there was no response from either Frost or BAM general manager Lawrence Chew, which according to him has led to his injury. Notably, the upcoming All England tournament was set to host some of the biggest names including Lin Dan and Chen Long but the Malaysian shuttler is frustrated after the latest setback.
"I have lost my patience with Morten. This injury is the last straw. What is even more hurtful was the way Morten handled my injury. Instead of asking about my condition, he asked my coach (Hendrawan) whether I would retire ... why? Doesn't he want me to play on? I am hurt," Chong Wei said, as quoted by The Star.
Not just the recent incident, Chong Wei also said he was not happy with the way Frost has been "mixing sports and politics" in the recent past. He questioned the idea behind the technical director's decision to not allow juniors to spar with seniors. The 34-year-old also added a lot of other players were also keeping quiet but that he lost his patience and is even willing to quit BAM if issues are not resolved.
"Morten does not want me to spar with the juniors ... why? When I was a junior, I sparred with my seniors. He did this even before the Olympic Games," Chong Wei added.
"He [Frost] does not want to listen. Sports and politics should not mix, but I think Morten is doing just that. There are other things too ... involving other players. Everyone is keeping quiet, but not me.
"I have been upset with him for some time, but I did not make a hue and cry because of Hendrawan. Hendrawan kept telling me to be patient and I respected that. Now, I have lost my patience and I am angry ... if there is no solution, I will quit BAM."
