The withdrawal of badminton powerhouse China from the upcoming Asian Tour in Bangkok attributable to coronavirus restrictions prompted the organisers to reaffirm their well being and security protocols, declaring the competitors “the most secure on the planet”.
The Asian Tour – comprising of two Thailand Open tournaments in addition to the backdated World Tour Finals – is about to lose a few of its lustre following the withdrawal of a number of prime Chinese language shuttlers together with Chen Lengthy, Chen Yu Fei, Li Jun Hui-Liu Yu Chen and Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong.
Badminton Affiliation of Thailand (BAT) president Patama Leeswadtrakul stated China’s anti-coronavirus guidelines prevented the Chinese language contingent from travelling.
“The explanation the Chinese language authorities doesn’t permit them to go in another country – not only for badminton however all types of athletes,” Patama advised AFP.
The president assured that this match bubble, which can see all three tournaments performed behind closed doorways below strict protocols, is the world’s most secure.
“After January 4th, nobody will probably be allowed to enter this bubble and all of the measures and protocols are very strict for the well being and security of everybody. We’re the one match that may host on the planet right now, internationally, globally, right now of resurgence,” she stated.
Thailand lately ramped up security measures, with Bangkok set to shut colleges for 2 weeks to regulate a brand new wave of coronavirus circumstances because the New 12 months.
However general circumstances remained low within the nation, with lower than 70 deaths because the pandemic started.
With out the likes of Chen Lengthy and Shi Yuqi within the body for the boys’s singles occasion, the competitors is anybody’s sport from world primary Kento Momota to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.
The absence of China’s prime two pairs – ranked first and second on the planet – within the blended doubles additionally means the Malaysian pairings of Chan Peng Quickly-Goh Liu Ying, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Quickly Huat-Shevon Lai have a very good probability of claiming the primary titles of 2021.
