BAM PLAY IT SAFE FOR SHUTTLERS
Players and staff briefed on risks after Covid-19 resurgence
THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) are not taking any risks following a spike in Covid-19 cases in the country. The recent wave of cases has placed several shopping malls in the Klang Valley under the microscope.
In the last 10 days, several incidents have affected six malls with four positive cases as of Sunday.
In the last two days, 265 new positive cases with one death were recorded.
BAM wasted no time in addressing the issue by calling for an emergency briefing with their players and staff yesterday.
“Following the recent spike in cases, we decided to call for the briefing to remind everyone that we have not won the battle
against Covid-19 yet.
“Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has urged everyone to remain vigilant and to practice safe social distancing and high level of personal hygiene at all times.
“Since the return of our players (juniors and seniors) in batches in June, we have relaxed on some rules, especially with our older players.
“They are still free to move, but we have advised them to keep it at a minimal. Only go out if it’s totally necessary.
“We cannot afford to take risks considering that some of the malls in the Klang Valley have recorded positive cases.
‘At BAM, we will continue to practice strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) with everyone,” said BAM secretary-general Kenny Goh.
Apart from malls, a badminton centre in Desa Petaling also reported a positive case this week.
On whether this raised any flags for the national body, who have opened their doors to several independent players, Kenny added: “Not really. These players train elsewhere.
“Even then, we are not too worried because they have to scan and go through the necessary screening process like everybody else before entering the courts at Academy Badminton Malaysia (in Bukit Kiara).
“Rest assured we are monitoring the situation closely.”
Following the postponement of the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals to next year, BAM have reverted to their previous arrangement, where the eight independent players train twice a week under one roof in Bukit Kiara.