Badminton governing physique BWF have introduced that they’re cancelling the Swiss Open and European Championships as a result of Covid-19 pandemic placing the world. BWF mentioned they had been unable to seek out appropriate slots for the 2 championships to happen this 12 months. It’s yet one more shot within the arm for the badminton schedule who’ve been struck onerous by the lockdowns and impositions imposed in and world wide.
The BWF had unveiled final month a revised worldwide calendar as they regarded to revive the rest of the season which was ruined by the well being disaster.
The apex physique had additionally introduced that rating factors earned at tournaments in the course of the unique qualification part might be maintained.
“There are additional modifications to the standing of badminton tournaments this 12 months with the YONEX Swiss Open 2020 and 2020 European Championships now cancelled,” the Badminton World Federation mentioned in a launch.
“Each beforehand carried ‘suspended’ standing till appropriate alternative dates might be discovered.”The Swiss Open, a Tremendous 300 occasion on the HSBC BWF World Tour, was scheduled to happen from March 17 to 22 and was earlier suspended as a result of unfold of the contagious illness.
“BWF, in shut session and consensus with Swiss Badminton and match organisers, concluded that it was not possible to carry the match at a later date in 2020,” the BWF mentioned.
India’s B Sai Praneeth completed runner-up on the 2019 Swiss Open after shedding the boys’s singles remaining to China’s Shi Yuqi.
The European Championships, scheduled for April 21-26, was additionally suspended earlier however now stands cancelled.
“Badminton Europe and the Ukrainian Badminton Federation additionally agreed that it was greatest to cancel the 2020 European Championships in Kyiv, initially scheduled for 21-26 April 2020,” the world physique mentioned.
“Ukrainian Badminton Federation has agreed to host the 2021 model and will probably be staged in the identical Ukrainian metropolis from 27 April to 2 Might 2021.”With the BWF asserting week 1 to 17 subsequent 12 months as prolonged Olympic qualification interval, the occasion is prone to rely in the direction of qualification for Tokyo Video games.
The BWF had earlier frozen the world rankings and made the standings on March 17 as the idea for entry and seedings, when it resumes the worldwide calendar.
(with PTI inputs)