New Delhi: As New Delhi recorded 22,751 new COVID-19 cases, and 17 deaths on Sunday, players who will be participating at the 2022 India Open found themselves powerless of any sort against the pandemic as several players and coaches have been infected by COVID-19 and had to pull out of the BWF World Tour Super 500 event that will be held in the capital of India from Jan 11, 2022, to Jan 16, 2022.
Among all participants, the England team was impacted the most as the entire squad has withdrawn from the 2022 India Open after its World No. 18 men’s doubles player – Sean Vendy, and men’s doubles coach, Nathan Robertson were tested positive for COVID-19.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced the withdrawal of the England team on its Twitter account on Sunday.
“Entire @BadmintonEnglnd team had withdrawn two days back and they are not here in India. #YonexSunriseIndiaOpen2022 is on track and all players who were tested at the hotel this morning as per protocol have come negative,” the BAI tweeted.
UPDATE🛑
Entire @BadmintonEnglnd team had withdrawn two days back and they are not here in India. #YonexSunriseIndiaOpen2022 is on track and all players who were tested at the hotel this morning as per protocol have come negative. #IndiaKaregaSmash#badminton https://t.co/L2UfxR7uZs
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) January 9, 2022
Meanwhile, Sean Vendy’s men’s doubles partner – Ben Lane, also responded to BAI’s tweet with the following message:
“No India Open this year for myself and @SeanVendy after he returned a positive covid test along with our coach @Nath_Robertson…”
In addition to the England team, India’s World No. 18 men’s singles player – Sai Praneeth, and mixed doubles player – Dhruv Rawat also pulled out of the tournament after they were tested positive before traveling to New Delhi from Hyderabad and Bengaluru respectively.
“Their RT-PCR test before traveling for New Delhi has come positive,” confirmed BAI about Sai Praneeth and Dhruv Rawat’s status.
The 2022 India Open offered total prize money of USD $400,000, and it is the first BWF World Tour tournament of the season.
