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As exiting Britain turns into more and more tough due to the escalating coronavirus state of affairs with 40 international locations – and counting – banning airways from UK, worldwide badminton has lurched into uncertainty once more. India’s world champion PV Sindhu has been coaching in the UK for some months now and was purported to journey to Bangkok in January. She will now be at the mercy of journey laws in each international locations as she makes an attempt to renew competitors at the Thailand Open scheduled for the second week of January. Thailand has additionally seen an amazing single-day spike in circumstances placing the complete three-tournament collection in jeopardy, although Bangkok isn’t in lockdown.
What is the Sindhu state of affairs?
The reigning World Champion and finalist at the Rio Olympics has been in UK since October, first for a collection of vitamin exams after which coaching with the England squad. However, with restrictions on flights from UK, and Sindhu needing to be in Bangkok on January 3, it’s trying more and more tough for India’s prime participant, together with different British gamers, to make it to the two Super 1000 occasions in Bangkok the place she was scheduled to renew competitors. Returning to India is inconceivable with flights from UK barred now, and Thailand is predicted to impose strict restrictions – albeit particular ones for England, Wales and Scotland.
With the All England scheduled for late February, the to-and-fro turns into a difficult choice, particularly with no qualification factors up for grabs in Bangkok. Sindhu, nonetheless, has certified for Tokyo.
What is the state of affairs in Thailand?
A lockdown has been imposed round Samut Sakhon, a province close to the capital Bangkok, as as much as 40,000 individuals are being examined with Thailand scrambling to mitigate an outbreak that has contaminated practically 700 individuals at a seafood market. The epicentre of the new outbreak threw up 140 extra circumstances, as the nation recorded its greatest day by day spike of 548 circumstances.
What tournaments are open for Olympic qualification?
The Indian Open Super 500 in Delhi from May 11-16 might be the final qualification match for the Tokyo Olympics, based on the recent schedule firmed up by the Badminton World Federation.
A complete of 17 tournaments throughout the world are a part of the qualification course of, although solely 5-6 will see prime gamers goal qualification. Two Super 300s (Swiss – March 2-7 & German Open – March 9-14), two Super 500s (Singapore & India), one Super 750 (Malaysia Open – March 31 – April 4) and a Super 100 at Orleans have factors up for grabs. The Badminton Asia Championship (April 27 – May 2), with its venue but to be determined, can also be included in Tokyo qualification.
What does this imply for Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen and P Kashyap?
While each Saina and Srikanth are readying to journey to Thailand, their actual take a look at begins in Basel on March 2.
However, the massive push for factors comes from March 31 (Malaysia Super 750), Singapore (Super 500 from April 13-18) and in Delhi (May 11-16). Crucially, the three Super 1000s (two in Thailand and the All England) don’t have anything to supply if they’re chasing qualification for Tokyo. The different different is criss-crossing the world for minor tournaments which includes travelling. Ideally, submit Thailand, the Swiss, German, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Delhi tournaments is the place the duo will look to strike for his or her factors.
What are the monetary implications on the 2021 season?
The BWF launch said: “There is also the possibility to reduce total minimum prize money for 2021 in the effort to reduce costs.” A 20 per cent discount in prize cash is estimated all through 2021 in circuit occasions, affecting participant earnings.
Has vaccinations been factored in?
“Although the hope is that the COVID-19 vaccine may in time create a world with less restrictions, BWF expects that the pandemic will still influence tournament hosting throughout the whole of 2021,” the world physique mentioned.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
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