Former world number one Zhou Mi is out of the national badminton team due to lingering injuries.

The 27-year-old shuttler was first drafted to the national team in 1996. She soon grew into a key player and has made great contributions to the team's Uber Cup and Sudirman Cup victories.

A lingering waist injury has plagued her in the past year, hampering her from further achievements including a world singles title still missing from her collection of trophies.

Zhou Mi had hoped to become a university student.

In another development, the national team will leave for Fuzhou in eastern Fujian province for a two-month closed-door training session, to prepare for the Thomas and Uber Cups held in Japan in April.

(CRI February 12, 2006)