Hyderabad Open badminton cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

The Hyderabad Open badminton event, scheduled to be held in August, was on Thursday cancelled by the game’s world governing physique in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, days after the revealing of a revised calendar.

The event, set from August 11 to 16, was one of many three to be held in India within the calendar introduced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on May 22 to restart the game after the pandemic-forced cancellations since March.

“BWF and Badminton Association of India have agreed to cancel the Hyderabad Open 2020 (11-16 August) – a Super 100 on the BWF Tour,” the BWF mentioned in an announcement.

The YONEX-SUNRISE India Junior International Grand Prix 2020, which was to be held in Pune from August 4-9, has additionally been cancelled. BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund mentioned circumstances have and can proceed to vary in sure international locations and subsequently additional updates on the standing of tournaments will probably be given as and when needed.

“These changes announced today are necessary but do not directly impact the new BWF Tournament Calendar 2020, which was created to allow for changes as part of our framework for badminton’s potential return,” he mentioned. “Health, safety and movement restrictions are now quite varied across the globe as certain countries and territories slowly return to a new normal.

Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand admitted that it would have been too difficult to commit to a tournament in August as Hyderabad is still under lockdown.

“At the moment the lockdown is still on in Hyderabad and the Telangana government has still not decided when the sports infrastructure will open even though the central government has cleared it. We are just waiting for the information,” Gopichand advised PTI. “…it will be too difficult for us to commit for a tournament in August.”

The BWF additionally cancelled two different tournaments – Australia Open and Korea Masters – in view of the worldwide well being disaster. “It (Australian Open) carried ‘suspended’ status until BWF and Badminton Australia could find suitable replacement dates. Both parties have since agreed it is not feasible to hold the tournament at a later date in 2020. The tournament was due to take place 2-7 June.

“The Korea Masters 2020 (HSBC BWF World Tour – Super 300) scheduled for 24-29 November is also cancelled. Badminton Korea will host the Korea Open 2020 (8-13 September) in Week 37,” the BWF mentioned.

Three tournaments nonetheless stay suspended and an announcement on these will probably be made sooner or later.

The suspended tournaments are: YONEX German Open 2020 (March 3-8), YONEX Swiss Open 2020 (March 17-22) and 2020 European Championships (April 21-26).