AS THE spotlight at the Juara Stadium was shifted to Indonesian coach Hendrawan’s much-anticipated arrival, women singles assistant coach Tay Seu Bock cut a lonesome figure.

None of his shuttlers were around for the evening’s training session on Tuesday. Most were either injured, sitting for exams or preparing for the Asia Youth Under-19 tournament.

While his main player Julia Wong Pei Xian will not see action till the end of the year, after ripping her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the Sudirman Cup in May, Lydia Cheah is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Sports Institute.

Lydia aggravated an old ankle injury, causing her to lose against Singapore’s Fu Mingtian 21-23, 25-23, 15-21 in the second round of the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold in Johor Baru last week. The KL lass, however, is set to resume training next week.

“All of them have something or other today,” said Seu Bock. “There’s never a day off where badminton is concerned ... even more as we’re preparing for the world championships.”

Lydia joins top female player Wong Mew Choo for the world championships in India next month. The nation’s hope will naturally rest on the shoulders of world No 1 Lee Chong Wei, and to a certain extent the doubles teams — Koo Kien Keat–Tan Boon Heong and women’s pair Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui. Sadly, Mew Choo and Lydia are only there to make up the numbers.

“Let’s be realistic. Lydia has improved a lot but she still has a long way to go. We have a month left and there’s only so much that can be done.

“We’re not throwing in the towel but let’s not place high expectations. I’ll have to see her condition once she gets back and only then I’ll set a certain target for her.”

Seu Bock scoffed at suggestions that the country is suffering from a shortage of good women players. Among the juniors Seu Bock spoke highly of, include Sabahan Sanatasha Saniru and Penangite Tee Jing Yi. Both Sanatasha and Jing Yi are with Bukit Jalil Sports School.

“Don’t compare us with China. They have a bigger population and a system that identifies talents at tender ages.

“We work differently here but we also have players at the junior level who need to be better exposed,” added Seu Bock.