BANGKOK, Dec 30, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Thailand’s badminton chief pledged that
next month’s restart tournaments will be the “safest in the world” on
Wednesday after heavyweights China withdrew because of coronavirus
restrictions.
China’s pull-out blows a big hole in the draw for the three world tour
events from January 12 in Bangkok, the first in Asia since Covid-19 shut down
the sport in March.
Badminton Association of Thailand president Patama Leeswadtrakul said
China’s anti-coronavirus rules prevented the team, which includes men’s
Olympic champion Chen Long and women’s world number two Chen Yufei, from
travelling.
“The reason is that the Chinese government doesn’t allow them to go out of
the country — not just for the sport of badminton but for all kinds of
athletes,” Patama told AFP.
The three back-to-back tournaments, in bio-secure “bubble” conditions and
behind closed doors, culminate in the delayed 2020 World Tour Finals from
January 27.
Patama said the Thai government has been working to ensure top standards of
health, including isolating players the minute they get off their flights.
“This bubble competition will be the safest in the world,” Patama said.
“After January 4, no one is allowed to enter this bubble and all the measures
and protocol are very strict for the health and safety of everyone.”
She admitted that the prospect of playing without fans was a concern for
some competitors, who are worried about how it may affect their performances.
“Our badminton players also mention these same feelings… But we have to
seal everyone in the bubble for the best health this time,” she said.
“We are the only tournament that can host in this world at this time — I
mean internationally, globally, at this time of resurgence.”
Thailand has seen a low toll from the virus since it registered the first
case outside of China in January.
But new outbreaks in recent weeks have prompted the government to put
certain areas under partial restrictions after months of relative normalcy.