PETALING JAYA: The resurging Covid-19 threat in India is very real indeed.
At least six Malaysian shuttlers have contracted the virus from their participation in the recent two tournaments there – Indian Open in New Delhi and Syed Modi International in Lucknow – over the last two weeks.
Independent shuttler Vivian Hoo became the latest player to disclose the news of her diagnosis through her social media account.
Vivian and partner Lim Chiew Sien, who made the quarter-finals in the first two meets, were supposed to play in the Odisha Open in Cuttack this week.
“Very sad to inform that I need to pull out from the Odisha Open. I’ve tested positive from yesterday’s (Monday) PCR test,” wrote Vivian on her Instastory.
“For now I do not have any symptoms, hopefully will recover soon.”
Before Vivian, national mixed doubles ace Chan Peng Soon, Teo Ee Yi and Tan Kian Meng also announced that they tested positive after returning to Malaysia.
It was learnt that another two members of the national team from the men’s singles and mixed doubles departments have been infected too.
This has prompted the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to withdraw the entire team from the Odisha Open.
They include last week’s Syed Modi International winners – men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Anna Cheong-Teoh Mei Xing.
The others were Wan Arif Junaidi-Haikal Nazri and Low Yeen Yuan-Valeree Siow.
However, there are three more Malaysian representatives who opted to stay on.
They are independent Cheam June Wei and doubles pair Lim Khim Wah-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub.
