IMPACT 0426: PERSEVERING THROUGH INJURY

Hi! My name is Wai Loon, and I’m a utility player for Balestier Khalsa, a Singapore Premier League Club. My career also includes former stints in Hougang United and Warriors Football Club.

In September 2020, I sustained a Weber B fracture on my right ankle during a match. It was so severe that I had to undergo surgery the next day, and was out of action for eight months. My effort in getting myself ready for the league’s restart went to waste – I could only watch my teammates on television, while in crutches.

I used my past experience to find strength to get back up on my feet again. This was my second serious injury – I tore my ACL back in 2015, which ruled me out for more than a year. It was not easy to go through rehab all over again, but what pushed me on was my passion for the game that made me really want to recover. I had to learn how to walk again, after sustaining an ankle injury during my training.

However, after five months, I found it very uncomfortable to play football, and it was recommended for me to take out the screw, which ruled me out for another three weeks. It felt like I had taken another step back.

The encouragement and support of my fellow footballers, my parents and my friends helped me to take my mind off my condition and they became an important aspect in my recovery process. It was seven months on that I finally returned to action and played in a friendly game. I’ve definitely thought about why I was so ‘suay’ (unlucky) with injuries.

But I also believe everything happens for a reason. I cannot go back to change the past.  Whatever happened has happened. Moving forward, I  show upfor training everyday with my best attitude regardless of the issues I have faced and be a positive person with the people around me.

I haven’t given up on my hope of trying out for the Singapore national team again, and I can’t wait to get that feeling back – walking off the pitch with a fully-soiled jersey knowing that I put everything out there on the pitch to help my team win a game.