KUALA LUMPUR: After missing out on the Asian Games, national sepak takraw squad striker Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin has suffered another major setback after being diagnosed with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to his dominant right leg.
The grim news was confirmed by the 27-year-old himself following an MRI scan, which also revealed several other injuries, forcing him to rest for between six and seven months.
“The latest update is not good news for me. The MRI results are out, and they are not good. It shows I have injured my ACL and meniscus, and whatever else, quite a lot.
“The doctor said six to seven months; that is the fastest if I really commit to rehab. Before the SEA Games, I think I can play, but he said it also depends on me. If I am strong and confident of returning to play, I can.
“If I am not strong and fearful, that is where the real problem lies. Either way, it all comes down to me,” he told reporters at the National Sepak Takraw Squad appreciation ceremony here last night.
The absence of the star right winger has also disrupted his team’s campaign, with Perak Bison now forced to do without his services in this season’s Sepak Takraw League (STL).
Muhammad Noraizat said he had accepted the advice of medical experts and that surgery was the best course of action to safeguard his career and long-term well-being.
“The doctor did suggest surgery (if I want to play again). Even if I don’t play again, he said it would be best to go ahead with it for the long term.
“I apologise profusely to Perak Bison fans. Insya-Allah, I will pray for them from afar. May the team continue to prosper. Even though I am not with the team, my prayers will always accompany them,” said the player, who admitted that the injury was the most serious of his career.
The surgery is scheduled to take place at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, following a referral from the National Sports Institute, although the official date has yet to be finalised.
Muhammad Noraizat suffered a right calf muscle injury during the final training session before the start of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Following the incident, the team management acted swiftly by calling up national striker Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim to fill the vacancy.