KUALA LUMPUR – Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has questioned the Badminton World Federation (BWF) over the return of Chinese shuttler Shi Yu Qi to participate in the World Championships in Tokyo.
The China Badminton Association (CBA) had previously declined Yu Qi’s spot in the tournament during the Phase 1 selection, which also took him off the reserves list.
Yu Qi, however, was included into the name list at the last-minute on July 19, replacing fellow countryman and two-time World Champion Chen Long.
BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said there must be an explanation for the world’s 17th ranked player’s last-minute addition.
“I am concerned about the internal processes in BWF,” he said.
According to the BWF Handbook on Eligibility and Processing of Entries for World Championships, Section 3.2.20 states: “A player who has not confirmed participation or has declined in the Phase 1 cannot be re-entered.”
Kenny said BWF should provide an explanation on the inclusion of the player despite being declined in the earlier phase.
“I have nothing against the player, but I am more concerned about the processes in BWF,” he added.
Scheduled to be held from August 21 to 28, Yu Qi will be making his return to professional badminton after serving a one-year suspension.
His absence came after a controversial retirement during the 2021 Thomas Cup Finals, where he withdrew when losing 20-5 in the second set to Japan’s Kento Momota, citing nail inflammation as the reason.
He had lost the first set 22-20.
His post-match behaviour earned him the suspension.
According to Yu Qi, he did not lose the match, but the score merely stopped at 20-5.
During this year’s Thomas Cup, CBA president Zhang Jun explained that Yu Qi was serving a one-year internal suspension for his behaviour.
In 2018, Yu Qi won the All England Open and came in second at the World Championships. – The Vibes, July 21, 2022
