Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth may not get chance to qualify for Tokyo Olympics after BWF cancels Singapore Open 2021

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Wednesday cancelled the Singapore Open 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The sport's governing body also confirmed that the tournament will not be rescheduled at a later date.

"Tournament organisers Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) and Badminton World Federation (BWF) have jointly agreed to cancel the Singapore Open 2021 scheduled for 1 6 June 2021.

"All attempts were made by the organisers and BWF to provide a safe tournament environment for all participants. However, rising COVID-19 cases globally led to complex challenges in managing inbound travel.



Thus, in the interests of all players, tournament personnel and the local community’s health and safety, the event has been cancelled," BWF said in a statement.

The news comes as a rude shock for star Indian players like Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth as the Super 500 tournament was the last chance for the shuttlers to gain qualification for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in July.

Cancellation of the Singapore badminton tournament could be the final nail in the coffin for Saina and Srikanth even though the BWF said it "will issue a further statement on Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualifying at a later date".