KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — Thailand is the latest country to withdraw from the 2020 Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, slated to be held in Aarhus, Denmark from Oct 3-11.
Badminton World Federation (BWF), in a statement today, said the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and injuries among key players are the main reasons cited by Thailand for the withdrawal.
“Thailand joined Taiwan and Australia as those member associations were unable to take their place. Replacement teams have yet to be announced,” the statement added.
BWF, however, reiterated that the health and safety of all players and personnel taking part in the upcoming tournaments remain their utmost priority.
This includes implementing a bubble system to create a safe badminton ecosystem for all involved, it said.
Malaysia were drawn in Group A with traditional rivals and 13-time champions Indonesia, the Netherlands and England in the Thomas Cup tournament.
The national women’s squad will face a far more daunting task as they were drawn in Group B, alongside South Korea, Indonesia and Australia.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the quarterfinals.
Malaysia have won the Thomas Cup five times — in 1949, 1952, 1955, 1967 and 1992 while the women’s squad have never won the Uber Cup since its introduction in 1957 in England.
— Bernama
