Bangkok: India’s World No. 13 men’s singles player, B. Sai Praneeth has pulled out from the ongoing Toyota Thailand Open after tested positive for Covid-19. The news has been confirmed by Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Tuesday.
BWF revealed that the test result for Sai Praneeth on Monday showed he was COVID-19 positive and he has to stay in the hospital for at least 10 days.
“BWF can also confirm Sai Praneeth B. had been rooming with teammate Kidambi Srikanth at the official hotel. In line with BWF protocols, Kidambi has been withdrawn from the TOYOTA Thailand Open and is in strict self-quarantine. However, Kidambi tested negative on Monday’s test and has returned negative results since arriving in Thailand,” said BWF in a statement published Tuesday.
“Daily testing protocols have been implemented by Thai health authorities, Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT), and BWF, including restricting the movement and schedule of the rest of the India team as per tournament protocol. This is to ensure the health and safety of all participants,” added BWF.
“All other players and personnel involved in the TOYOTA Thailand Open, including all Team India players and entourage, returned negative results following Monday’s mandatory round of PCR testing,” continued BWF.
That decision by BWF also provided Daren Liew of Malaysia who was scheduled to play Sai Praneeth in the first round a free pass to the second round.
In another men’s singles first round match-up between Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia and India’s Sameer Verma on Tuesday, Lee couldn’t get the job done when he was leading 17-6 in the second set, allowing Verma to stage an incredible comeback to beat Lee 18-21, 27-25, 21-19.
Malaysia’s mixed doubles pair, Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying did not face any trouble to overcome Jones Ralfy Jansen/Kilasu Ostermeyer of Germany 21-13, 21-13 to take on Adnan Maulana/Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso in the second round.
