BAI postpones India Open 2021 due to surge in Covid-19 cases

The Badminton Association of India on Monday announced that India Open Super 500 tournament has been postponed for the time being due to surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

The India Open, which was supposed to be one of the last few events in the Olympic qualification cycle, was scheduled to be held from May 11 to 16 at the KD Jadhav Stadium in New Delhi. The Super 500 tournament was set to be held behind closed doors.

BAI general secretary Ajay Singhania said the national badminton body held discussions with the Badminton World Federation as well the



Delhi government before taking the call, keeping in mind the safety of players and officials. Notably, Delhi imposed a 6-day lockdown from Monday evening to curb the rise in cases of Covid-19 in the national capital.

"Considering the current challenges, BAI is left with no option but to announce the postponement of the tournament for the time being," Ajay Singhania said.

"Several rounds of discussions were held with BWF as well as the Delhi government and other stakeholders and accessing the safety of players and officials BAI needed to take this decision."