Tokyo hopes of Saina, Srikanth all but over

New Delhi, May 6

The hopes of Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth to make it to the Tokyo Olympics hang in balance as negotiations are on for their participation in the Malaysian Open in the midst of a ban on flights from India.

Malaysia has imposed a ban on travellers from India, which is witnessing a massive surge in Covid-19 cases.

However, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) said it has not given up hope and is waiting for a response from the Badminton World Federation (BWF). “Indian nationals won’t be allowed in Malaysia as well as in Singapore… This is why we had written to both the Member Countries to consider our request as a special case with respect to the Olympic Qualification of some of our players,” BAI general secretary Ajay Singhania said. “The matter has been taken up with BWF as well and we are awaiting Badminton Malaysia’s response.”

Travel ban

Earlier, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had stated that due to the travel ban by Malaysia, the Indian team would have to withdraw from the event.

“The Indian badminton team will have to withdraw from the Malaysian Open, scheduled from May 25 to 30, owing to a temporary travel restriction imposed by the Malaysian Government on travellers from India,” a SAI statement said.

“However, with 19 days left for the competition to begin, the possibility of travel cannot be ruled out completely,” SAI added.

The Malaysia Open is the second-last event that provides points for Olympics qualification. The final qualifying tournament is the Singapore Open, scheduled to be held from June 1 to 6.

The Indian Sports Ministry, through the Ministry of External Affairs, had approached the Malaysian authorities requesting them to permit the Indian team to participate without serving the mandatory quarantine. The latter, however, denied the request.

The BAI had earlier stated that it was trying to send the players to Malaysia via Doha.

If they are allowed to participate in the Singapore Open, Saina and Srikanth will have to make it to the final at least to have any hope of qualifying for Tokyo. Currently, Indians wishing to enter Singapore must be in quarantine in a foreign country other than India for 14 days before they are allowed to enter Singapore. Alternatively, visitors from India must serve 21-day quarantine in Singapore. — TNS, agencies