Blow to Saina’s Olympic bid as Malaysia Open deferred
THE Malaysia Open Super 750 tournament, one of badminton’s last two Olympic qualifying events, was last Friday (7) postponed due to a recent Covid-19 surge in the country, dealing a blow to the qualification hopes of India’s Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth.
The $600,000 (£424,091) event was scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur from May 25 to 30. The decision came as a huge setback for London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina and men’’s star Srikanth in their bid for Olympic qualification.
Following the postponement of the India Open (May 11-16), Saina and Srikanth’’s qualification for the Tokyo Games hinged on the Kuala Lumpur event followed by the Singapore Open (June 1-6).
In light of the new development, Badminton Association of India (BAI) last Friday reached out to the world body, seeking clarity on the qualification scenario for its shuttlers. “It’s really unfortunate that the crucial qualifier had to be postponed in this way but that is the time we live in now,” BAI general secretary Ajay Singhania said.
“Though four of our players have already qualified and there are few more, including Saina and Srikanth who can still make it. I have reached out to BWF Secretary Thomas Lund asking for clarity on the future course of action.”
With Singapore suspending all flights from Covid-ravaged India, it will be a difficult task for the Indian players, including Saina and Srikanth, to travel to the country for the last qualifier.
BAI had earlier said that as per the laid-out guidelines, for any Indian to enter Singapore, they have to either be in quarantine in a foreign country other than India for 14 days to be allowed to enter Singapore. “Alternatively all players have to maintain a 21-day quarantine in Singapore.”
BAI said it is in touch with the Singapore Badminton Association and trying to find a best possible way regarding the quarantine rule. “We will do whatever best possible to find a better way out so the shuttlers get the chance to secure the Olympic berths,” Singhania said.
Indian shuttlers who have made the cut include PV Sindhu, B Sai Praneeth and the men’s doubles pairing of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.