2020 Spanish Para Badminton tourney called off amid COVID-19 concerns
KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 -- The 2020 Spanish Para Badminton International scheduled to be staged in Cartagena, Murcia from March 10, has been cancelled amid growing concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) in a statement today, revealed that the Spanish Badminton Federation (SBF) made the decision yesterday, following the advice of the health authorities of the Murcia City Council.
The BWF added that they needed to respect the SBF decision as the welfare of players and their entourage, as well as fans and officials at the tournament, were the main priority.
The world badminton governing body stressed that it had no plans to make any adjustments to the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games qualification period which will end on April 2.
The 2020 Spanish Para Badminton International is the final qualifying tournament for para shuttlers to collect points for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Prior to this, four other non-Olympic qualifying events were also cancelled or postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
They are the third Fazza-Dubai Para Badminton Tournament slated for April 2-7 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Thailand Junior International Series 2020 in Bangkok (April 21-26), the Mongolia Junior International Series in Ulaanbaatar (May 19-24) and the Mongolia International Challenge 2020 in Ulaanbaatar (May 26-31).
-- BERNAMA
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