The contingent will then subsequently travel for the Singapore Open in June, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) said.
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Indian badminton players are expected to travel to Malaysia for the Malaysian Open next month via Doha, Qatar. The contingent will then subsequently travel for the Singapore Open in June, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) said.
The two tournaments are the last events that could act as a way for Saina and Srikanth as the Olympic qualification calendar will close. One more event–the Indian Open was postponed due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Doubts arose over whether Indians would be allowed to take part in the Malaysian Open due to the country imposing a temporary ban on flights from India.
If the travel ban continues then the seven of India’s shuttlers who have signed up for the 32 men’s single event will face a lot of trouble. Indian players look forward to in the event. In the men’s category are World No. 1 K. Srikanth and B. Sai Praneeth, the 2019 World Championships’ bronze medallist. The women’s singles competition could also feel the absence of the world class P.V. Sindhu and former world No. 1 Saina Nehwal from the list.
“With the current travel restrictions, Indian players will not be able to take direct flights. We have checked for via routes and the alternatives are either from Sri Lanka or from Doha and Indian Shuttlers are most likely to travel via Qatar,” said the BAI.
“Considering the current travel restrictions, Badminton Association of India (BAI) has written to the respective Associations of Malaysia and Singapore for clarity on what will be the exact regulations that will be applied to Indian shuttlers while they arrive in these respective countries,” it further added.
Players will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine period in Malaysia while for entering Singapore, they only need to have gone through a 14-day quarantine period in a country that is not India. It means that Indian players can go to Singapore directly from Malaysia and take part in the tournament without the 14-day quarantine.
