Hyderabad Open set to usher in BWF badminton tour return
The international federation is hoping to resume the 2020 season with the Super 100 event in August.
Badminton
Hyderabad looks set to be the first city to host a tournament when the Badminton World Federation resumes its international calendar in August.
After a season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the sport's governing body announced a revised schedule on Friday, with the restart set for the Hyderabad Open Super 100 event on August 11-16.
Badminton fans in India could have much more action to look forward to with the Syed Modi International Super 300 event scheduled for November 17-22 while the India Open Super 500 event has been accommodated for December 8-13.
The revised calendar might be a step in the right direction, but the BWF has assured that they were in no hurry to restart the season and a resumption will be possible only after an ‘absolute clarity on if it’s safe to do so.’
“At this point in time, it is difficult to predict when international movement and entry restrictions will be lifted by individual countries and territories, but we will not resume competition unless it is absolutely clear that it is safe to do so,” the BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund said.
“The health, safety and wellbeing of all athletes, their entourage, officials and the greater badminton community remain our No.1 priority.
“We have also tried to ensure the continued livelihoods of our badminton players, including supporting all our Member Associations, by making considered preparations for badminton’s return at the soonest possible chance at all levels across the world.”
Big-ticket events accommodated
Though several events have been affected by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and repercussions that followed, eight have been accommodated in the latest calendar.
As per the announcement, some of the events include the New Zealand Open Super 300 event, Indonesia Open 2020 Super 1000 event, Malaysia Open Super 750 event, Thailand Open Super 500 event and the India Open 2020 Super 500 event.
While the German Open, Swiss Open, Australian Open and the European Championships continue to remain suspended, as many as 10 events - including the Asian Badminton Championships - have been cancelled for the year.
As confirmed earlier, the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals will be held in Denmark between 3-11 October.
Meanwhile the season-ending BWF World Tour FInals in Guangzhou, China, have been pushed back a week and will now be held from the 16-20 December 2020.