COVID-19: Singapore Badminton Open cancelled after new advisory on ticketed events
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Badminton Open, which was originally scheduled to be held from 7 to 12 April at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
In a media statement on Friday (13 March), the tournament organisers said that the decision was taken in view of the additional precautionary measures by the Singapore government to prevent further importation and spread of COVID-19 cases on the same day.
The latest advisory by the Ministry of Health advised all ticketed cultural, sports and entertainment events, with 250 participants or more, are to be deferred or cancelled.
“Following the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases worldwide, and with the health and safety of players, spectators and event personnel our highest priority, we have made the decision to cancel the Singapore Badminton Open,” said Robert Lim, organising chairman of the Open.
“It is always hard to cancel an event and we appreciate all the hard work put in by everyone involved in the tournament. While we are disappointed that we are unable to stage this tournament for spectators, we believe this is the best decision for everyone involved.”
The tournament would have featured nine of the world's top 10 men's singles shuttlers, including defending Olympic champion Chen Long, as well as all of the top 10 female players.
Fans who have purchased tickets for the Open will receive a full refund. Details of the refund will be announced on the tournament’s official website.
Meanwhile, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has also suspended all BWF World Tour and other BWF-sanctioned tournaments from 16 March until 12 April.
Tournaments affected include the Swiss Open, India Open, Orleans Masters, Malaysia Open and Singapore Open, as well as a number of international Grade 3 tournaments.
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