All’s good as squad settle down in Games Village

national badminton squad arrived in Japan yesterday without much hassle, and it is all systems go for the Tokyo Olympics that get underway on Friday.

BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann, also the team manager, confirmed that all eight players were cleared to check into the Games Village after testing negative for Covid-19 upon arrival at the airport yesterday.

“Everything went well, the journey was smooth, and we were all tested negative upon arrival,” Choong Hann told Timesport.

“It took some time for us to clear all the checkpoints, but that is normal under current circumstances.

“What I can say is it was very well-organised, and we were assisted by the organisers.”

The former World No 1 noted that their movements were limited to within the Games Village yesterday.

However, court testing and training will go on as scheduled today at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza.

“For the first four days, we will not be able to roam freely, but training and practice will be allowed. This includes the main hall, court practice and gym,” added Choong Hann.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the BAM could only send a small team of four coaches (Hendrawan, Chan Chong Ming, Flandy Limpele and Chin Eei Hui), one team manager and three support staff from the National Sports Institute to accompany the players for the Games.

All players and officials will be tested daily for Covid-19.

Apart from mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, the reigning silver medallists, the remaining six players are all Olympic newcomers.

For the first time, national men’s singles Lee Zii Jia and Liu Ying have been honoured with the role of flagbearers for the national contingent.

At the previous edition in Rio five years ago, Malaysian won three silver medals in badminton through former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei (men’s singles), Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (doubles) and Peng Soon-Liu Ying.