Vimal blames it on teams from Asia

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Sept. 15: Former India badminton coach Vimal Kumar on Tuesday blamed the withdrawals by Asian nations for the postponement of the Thomas and Uber Cup Final, calling it a “big setback” for the sport.

“What Asian nations have done, it is really disappointing. There are no major issues in these countries, they are having local events there, so to pull out in this way, is a big setback for the sport,” Vimal said.

The event, which was to mark the resumption of international badminton after the coronavirusforced break, was scheduled to be held in Aarhus, Denmark from October 3 to 11.

India had announced both the men’s and women's squads for the event. However, after Indonesia and South Korea on Friday joined Thailand, Australia, Chinese Taipei and Algeria in pulling out due to the dreaded disease, the BWF decided to push

What Asian nations have done, it is really disappointing. There are no major issues in these countries, they are having local events there, so to pull out in this way, is a big setback for the sport.

— VIMAL KUMAR

badminton coach

the event to next year.

Vimal said: “It was an ideal way to revive the circuit. The platform was there. We are not as big as China but India stood positive, we wanted to participate but if big countries don’t play, what can BWF do? How will they conduct events? I'll blame the Asian nation for this mess.”

The international body, though, decided to proceed with the Denmark Open in Odense as originally planned from October 1318, while cancelling the Denmark Masters that was slated for October 20 to 25.