BWF issues SOP aiming for safe resumption of tournaments

All tournaments have been suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic since mid- March.  The All England Championship was the last tournament held this year. The tournaments are set to return with The Thomas and Uber cups in Denmark in October. The BWF has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

“The BWF is preparing to restart international badminton tournaments with some Governments giving the go-ahead to host events, albeit with restrictions, and advises players and team entourage of the new protocols and procedures that will be implemented at BWF Major Championships and HSBC BWF World Tour events in 2020,” BWF said.

BWF issues SOP

All players will be required to undertake a COVID-19 test within three days before departing for a tournament and return a negative test result to ensure that they are Virus-free. The BWF and the local host country will advise participants on this on a tournament by tournament basis. The testing will be on team/ player/ entourage’s own cost said the BWF.

“Instead of shaking hands, players can touch rackets with their opponents and nod/put their hand across their chest when greeting the match officials,” the BWF said.

Face masks will not be required for players while playing or preparing for matches. But they will be mandatory for all personnel in the Green Zone. Players will be required to sanitize their hands befor prize distribution. Physical distancing measures will also be followed. Group photos wll also be taken observing physical distancing.

“A shuttlecock dispenser will be provided at each end of the court. When a player wants to change a shuttlecock and is allowed to do so by the Umpire, the player can take a shuttlecock from the dispenser and return the used shuttlecock to the Service Judge with the racket or drop it into the shuttle box. Tournament activities will not include qualifying rounds as limitations will have to be put on the number of participants and to ensure that the schedule of the tournament can be conducted appropriately,” BWF said.

“The aim is to create the safest possible environment for all the stakeholders involved in the tournament including players, organising committee workforce, volunteers, media and technical officials.” said the world governing body.

The release of SOP is a great step towards safe resumption of the international tournaments as fans across the world await on court action.

Also Read: Thomas and Uber Cup Draws: India handed a favourable draw to make it to the knockouts