Unlucky Koo Kien Keat out of Aviva Open Singapore 2008

(BEIJING, June 9) -- Malaysia's second men's pair will miss the Aviva Open Singapore 2008 as Koo Kien Keat accidentally injured his right hand and thigh on June 5 while resting at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil.

Koo was leaning his hand against a glass partition when it suddenly broke and cut a deep wound in his flesh on his right arm, from hand to elbow. His upper right thigh also got cut by broken glass. The wound required 20 stitches. According to his coach, Rexy Mainaky, the injury won't affect Koo's game in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, even though it did cause minor muscle tear. "It's not serious but I hope his wounds will not get infected as if they do, he will need more time to make a full recovery," said Rexy at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara on June 6. "However, I want to stress that he is in no danger of missing the Olympic Games. Kien Keat will start rehabilitation in the second half of next week," he added.

Koo himself described this accident as sheer bad luck. "I can't do much about it. Doctors have advised me to take full rest and that's what I'm doing now." Koo and his partner Tan Boon Heong are currently No.5 in the world in badminton men's doubles. Their compatriots, world No. 4 Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah also pulled out from the Singapore Open last week.

Koo's injury will be carefully examined and evaluated in ten days, according to chief Malaysian national team coach Yap Kim Hock.