BAI postpones senior ranking tournaments slated to be held in Bengaluru due to COVID-19

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has postponed the All India senior ranking tournaments slated to be held in Bengaluru in August and September.

BAI, the sport's national governing body, had announced back-to-back tournaments (BAI Series events) on August 2. It wanted to launch the much-awaited domestic season with the first BAI Series senior tournament in Bengaluru from August 27 to September 3.

BAI secretary (events) Omar Rashid had announced the events last Monday. The second BAI Series tournament was scheduled to start on September 4. Both tournaments were slated to be organized by the Karnataka State Badminton Association at the KBA Stadium in Vasant Nagar.

However, BAI received a major jolt when the Karnataka government refused permission to hold the tournaments. Around 2,000 entries were expected for the two tournaments and that is perhaps why the local authorities refused clearance.

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Karnataka Badminton Association did not get permission for the tournaments: Singhania

According to a BAI circular, released by general secretary Ajay Kumar Singhania on Monday, the prevailing COVID-19 situation has forced organizers to postpone the events.

Talented players like Tanisha Crasto will now have to wait further for domestic action to resume

“You are aware that two All India senior ranking tournaments were announced by secretary (events), BAI from August 27 to September 3 and September 4 to 11. However, Rajesh Reddy, honorary secretary, KBA, has informed us that the Government of Karnataka has not given approval for organizing the tournaments considering the present pandemic situation. In view of the above, senior ranking tournaments as mentioned above are postponed till further notice,” the BAI circular said on Monday.

Singhania has appealed to affiliated state associations to inform all players, coaches and officials. This is the second time that BAI has had to postpone the tournaments after announcing them. In April, they had announced the tournaments in Bengaluru but had to cancel them due to the second wave of the pandemic.

Guwahati, Assam-based Omar Rashid said:

“We want to resume the domestic calendar but the present condition is not allowing us to hold the tournaments. It is a big setback for players who are eager to play after a long gap of one and a half years. BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma and general secretary Ajay Kumar Singhania are trying hard to conduct at least one tournament. As soon as we reach a certain decision, we will inform you about the new dates and new venue.”

Rashid also hinted that they are unlikely to hold any tournaments until September.