India Open postponed after surge in COVID-19 cases
In an emergency discussion held with Badminton World Federation (BWF), Badminton Association of India (BAI), the India Open badminton tournament 2021, slated to commence from May 11-16 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi, has been announced postponed due to massive surge in the COVID-19 cases in the host city. Follow 12BET India for more sports and casino news.
“The decision was made in consultation and collaboration with local health authorities in Delhi and the Badminton World Federation. All attempts were made by organisers to conduct a safe tournament environment for all participants, but the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and gravity of the situation in Delhi left BAI no choice but to postpone the tournament,” the BWF announced.
India’s capital, Delhi, has announced a week-long lockdown after a record surge in cases. They reported their highest single-day spike, with 24,462 cases on Sunday alone. Government offices and essential services, such as hospitals, pharmacies and grocers, will be open during the lockdown, while curfew will be imposed. The India Open is a Super 500 tournament on the BWF’s World Tour.
“Until yesterday we were prepared to go ahead. But given how rapidly the situation has deteriorated and following the Delhi government’s lockdown decision today we were left with no choice,” BAI secretary Ajay Singhania said. “It is unfortunate that we had to postpone it for the second time. But I am confident when situation will improve, we will conduct the tournament properly.”
Matches were due to be played at the K. D. Jadhav Indoor Stadium. However, Spain’s reigning Olympic women’s champion Carolina Marin is among the 13 international players who had already pulled out. “The fresh dates has still not been decided. That is something BWF will let us know in time,” Singhania added. BWF had earlier postponed the Malaysia Super 750 and Singapore Super 500.
BAI also said “training schedule for Olympic-bound shuttlers and probables will continue but rest camps will be postponed” in light of the situation. Asked when are the Olympic bound shuttlers likely to get vaccinated, Singhania said: “Four days back we had a meeting, even sports minister was there and all agreed to get the vaccination done for our shuttlers but there is no deadline as such.
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