KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton's showpiece Thomas and Uber Cups were hanging in the balance Monday (Sep 14) after several countries withdrew due to the coronavirus and a top player expressed concerns about safety.
The twice-postponed men's and women's world team championships are set to take place in Denmark next month, and would be the first international tournaments since the pandemic halted badminton in March.
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But Indonesia, 13-time Thomas Cup champions, and South Korea withdrew over the weekend, following Thailand, Australia and Taiwan in deciding to skip the event.
Heavyweights China and Japan are among teams that have not yet announced a pull-out but with some of Asia's top talent missing, doubts are swirling over the event.
"If the trend of the withdrawals continue, I think (the Badminton World Federation) has two options – one is to cancel, the second option is to postpone the finals to a later date," Badminton Association of Malaysia general secretary Kenny Goh told AFP.
Leading Indian player Saina Nehwal, who is due to play in the championships, also questioned whether pushing ahead with them was a good idea.
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"Is it safe enough to conduct tRead More – Source
KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton's showpiece Thomas and Uber Cups were hanging in the balance Monday (Sep 14) after several countries withdrew due to the coronavirus and a top player expressed concerns about safety.
The twice-postponed men's and women's world team championships are set to take place in Denmark next month, and would be the first international tournaments since the pandemic halted badminton in March.
Advertisement
Advertisement
But Indonesia, 13-time Thomas Cup champions, and South Korea withdrew over the weekend, following Thailand, Australia and Taiwan in deciding to skip the event.
Heavyweights China and Japan are among teams that have not yet announced a pull-out but with some of Asia's top talent missing, doubts are swirling over the event.
"If the trend of the withdrawals continue, I think (the Badminton World Federation) has two options – one is to cancel, the second option is to postpone the finals to a later date," Badminton Association of Malaysia general secretary Kenny Goh told AFP.
Leading Indian player Saina Nehwal, who is due to play in the championships, also questioned whether pushing ahead with them was a good idea.
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"Is it safe enough to conduct tRead More – Source
