Covid-19: Five shuttlers test positive, Academy Badminton Malaysia shuts down

PETALING JAYA: The Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) has been forced to shut down as five national shuttlers have tested positive for Covid-19.

In a circular on Friday (April 16), the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said the five stayed at the Academy, adding that those who came into close contact with them are now being quarantined as instructed by the National Sports Institute (NSI), the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Health Ministry.

BAM also said that the cases have also been reported to the district health office situated in Kepong and everyone living at the premises were immediately tested in the morning.

It assured parents that all the necessary steps are being taken to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff, and coaches and that thorough sanitisation work - from the courts to the hostel rooms - was also done on Friday.

"As such, we seek your kind understanding and support to know that every action taken is for the benefit of your child’s safety. Our course of action is taken as advised and follows the directive of the Health Ministry, NSI and NSC," said BAM.

Training has been stopped for the next few days while school activities will be conducted online.

The senior and back-up shuttlers have participated in several tournaments in Europe over the last few weeks, including the prestigious All-England where Lee Zii Jia beat world No. 1 Kento Momota of Japan and world No. 2 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark en route to winning the men's singles title.

Meanwhile, NSC director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail confirmed the development and added that immediate action has been taken in accordance with the instructions from the relevant authorities.