Five More Tournaments Cancelled By Badminton World Federation Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Mumbai: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Friday postponed five more tournaments, including three continental competitions for the Tokyo Olympic qualification, but the importance has now been taken away in view of the COVID-19 epidemic in host cities.
The announcement comes a week after the BWF made a halt to all its programs until 12 April.
“…a further five tournaments have also been cancelled or postponed,” the BWF said in a statement.
It also included the postponement of three Continental Confederation Championships scheduled for week 17 on the BWF tournament calendar, one of the last chances for athletes qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games before the April 26 deadline.
Suspended tournaments Croatian International (April 16–19), Peru International 2020 (April 16–19), European Championships (April 21–26), Badminton Asia Championship (April 21–26) and Pan Am Individual Championships 2020 (April 23) – 26).
BWF said, ‘The global outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak has led to BWF, which has confirmed the suspension of these tournaments in close consultation and consensus with its Continental Confederation and host member associations.’
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The COVID-19 global death toll has climbed to the last 10,000 with over 250,000 infected. The players were severely criticized by the BWF for continuing the All England Championship despite the growing threat of the deadly virus.
“The health, safety and well-being of all athletes, their admissions, officials and the greater badminton community are a top priority for all concerned,” the BWF said.
“The suspension has also received a boost due to travel and quarantine restrictions and later extreme logistics complications,” he said.
The European Championship was scheduled in Ukraine, while Asia was to be held in the Philippines.
The Asia Championship was already shifted once, from Wuhan, China to Manila due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in that city. All the top Indian shuttlers including PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, B Sai Praneeth and Kidambi Srikanth were the contestants.
“Badminton Pan Am also stated that it was no longer possible to stage the XXIV Pan Am Individual Championship in Peru, as health and safety fears were linked to COVID-19.
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The BWF said, “The tournament was originally planned for Guatemala City.”
All five tournaments were to be played within the qualification period of the Tokyo Olympic Games, but “there will be no contribution to the Olympic qualification as they will now be out of the qualification window.”
The BWF said, “The BWF will make further announcements on any implications relating to the Olympic qualification period at a later date.”
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