Kenichi Tago will seek to revive his career in a Malaysian professional league ©Getty Images

Japanese badminton player Kenichi Tago, who represented the country at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, will seek to resurrect his career after re-signing to play for Petaling BC in the professional Malaysian Purple League.

The 27-year-old was handed an indefinite suspension by the Nippon Badminton Association in April this year for gambling at an illegal casino.

His NTT East Japan club team-mate and World Championship bronze medal winner Kento Momota was also suspended.

But, while reports indicate that Momota's suspension could be lifted as early as May next year, there appears no prospect of Tago being allowed to compete anytime soon.

Unlike Momota, who was just suspended, Tago also had his NTT East contract terminated after being seen as having instigated the activity.

Playing overseas therefore appears his only option to continue in the sport. 

Kenichi Tago, left, and Kento Momota apologise for their gambling activities ©Getty Images
Kenichi Tago, left, and Kento Momota apologise for their gambling activities ©Getty Images

"I can only blame myself for the punishment," Tago, also a member of Japan's victorious 2014 Thomas Cup squad, said earlier this year.

"But I also realised badminton is my passion and I can still do more on the badminton court.

"I'm not working currently and I'm thinking to go abroad to find some, because I need to find a job to make a living."

Tago also played for Petaling in the inaugural Purple League season in 2014-2015 after replacing Malaysia superstar Lee Chong Wei while he was serving a doping ban.

It was set-up primarily to provide an avenue for up and coming players but other leading stars to have participated include Denmark's 2015 world bronze medallist Jan Ø Jørgensen.