M’sia set to host first international badminton meet in two years

KUALA LUMPUR – The Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) is set to make a comeback this year after an absence of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tournament, which marks the return of international badminton action in Malaysia, will be held from February 15-20 at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Speaking to the press, Selangor state executive councillor for youth development Mohd Khairuddin Othman said this year’s edition sees participation from ten countries, including Korea, India, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kazakhstan.

“We hope this tournament will help increase our athletes’ confidence to compete as well as prepare them for the Thomas and Uber Cup tournaments,” Khairuddin said.

“Many other countries wanted to be the (tournament) host but we successfully secured it – creating a good reputation for Malaysia.”

Organised by the Selangor Sports Council and hosted by the Selangor state government, the championship is held in collaboration with Badminton Asia and Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

The organisers said the competition will be held under strict Covid-19 standard operating procedures, which includes guidelines and regulations on travelling, accommodation, quarantine procedures, regular Covid-19 testing and other safety measures as specified by the Malaysian government and the National Security Council.

When asked about the number of spectators allowed at the game, Khairuddin said they are “unable to confirm the number of seats at this moment as the local government, who are trying to secure as many seats as possible, is still working out the details.”

He also added that China will not be participating in the tournament due to the long quarantine measures implemented.

Meanwhile, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said: “Although we are in the process of finalising the team, we will be sure to put our best players for this tournament.

“Lee Zii Jia will be included, as well,” he added.

The Selangor BATC will serve as a qualifier for the 2022 Thomas and Uber Cup finals, scheduled to be held in Bangkok from May 8-15.

Indonesia − the reigning Thomas Cup champions − will lead the challenge in the men’s competition while Japan will be seeking their third consecutive women’s team championship title. – The Vibes, January 27, 2022