Saina Nehwal, HS Prannoy check detrimental for Covid-19, cleared for Thailand Open

Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy have been cleared to compete within the Thailand Open after they examined detrimental for COVID-19, invalidating the earlier optimistic outcomes that pressured them out of the match hours earlier on a chaotic Tuesday.
Both the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Association of India (BAI) confirmed the event.
“Both Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy have been cleared to participate in the ongoing Yonex Thailand Open after the fourth-round tests reports confirmed that both shuttlers have been tested negative for COVID-19,” BAI mentioned in an announcement.
The nationwide physique mentioned it was attainable after the nationwide physique took up the matter with BWF.
“BAI have taken up the matter with topmost BWF officials to ensure if tests were negative, matches for respective players should be rescheduled and no walkover is given,” BAI added.
Earlier within the day, chaos gripped India’s marketing campaign on the match when Olymic medallist Saina was pressured out following a optimistic COVID-19 check, whereas Prannoy’s participation hung in stability after his pattern got here out detrimental following a optimistic lead to a weird flip of occasions.
Former Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap too was pressured to withdraw “due to close proximity” with spouse and fellow shuttler Saina.
But the day, which additionally witnessed a shock first-round exit of reigning world champion and Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu, ended on a greater notice for the Indians following the 2 shuttlers’ clearance.
“Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) can confirm three of the four players who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier today at the Asian Leg of the HSBC BWF World Tour have been cleared to take their place in the draw,” the apex physique mentioned.
“They are confirmed as Saina Nehwal (India), HS Prannoy (India), and Jones Ralfy Jansen (Germany),” BWF added in its assertion.
The BWF mentioned the mentioned gamers who had earlier examined optimistic for the virus, are “not currently infected”.
“Nehwal, Prannoy and Jansen examined optimistic on the PCR check however their antibody IgG was optimistic. A optimistic antibody check means an individual has been contaminated with the COVID-19 virus sooner or later previously. It doesn’t imply they’re at present contaminated.
“The trio all contracted COVID-19 in late 2020. The committee was satisfied that they are not infected and do not pose a danger to the tournament.”
Saina and Prannoy had recovered from COVID-19 final month and together with the Indian crew had been trying to take part within the Asia leg occasions comprising the Thailand Open (January 12-17), TOYOTA Thailand Open (January 19-24) and the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2020 (January 27-31).
In its assertion, BAI added, “After steady efforts from BAI together with docs being despatched instantly when Kidambi Srikanth began bleeding have been taken up. BWF and Badminton Thailand have been cooperative and BAI thank all of the stakeholders for his or her help together with the match organisers.
The matches shall be rescheduled for Saina and Parupalli Kashyap for Wednesday. However, Kashyap’s participation will rely upon the results of his check performed within the afternoon.
Regarding Prannoy, the BWF had mentioned he can be retested after conflicting reviews got here out of earlier samples.
Saina was scheduled to play Kisona Salvaduray of Malaysia, whereas Kashyap was presupposed to face Canada’s Jason Anthony Ho-Shue within the first spherical on Tuesday.
However, Prannoy is scheduled to play his first match on Wednesday, taking up Malaysia’s eighth seed Lee Zii Jia.
Saina, Prannoy, Kashyap together with RMV Gurusaidutt and Pranaav Chopra had examined optimistic final month and had served the obligatory quarantine interval.
They had additionally cleared the pre-departure COVID-19 check and likewise examined detrimental on arrival in Bangkok.
The Indian contingent consists of the likes of Olympic silver-medallist PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, Sourabh Verma, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty and Ashwini Ponappa.