Kuala Lumpur: Six shuttlers from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have confirmed positive tests for COVID-19.
BAM made that announcement on Saturday that all the shuttlers were asymptomatic, and are in self-isolation to comply with the safety protocol set by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the National Sports Council.
Meanwhile, BAM has also shut down the Badminton Academy of Malaysia temporarily for cleaning and disinfecting in order to maintain a safe environment for all individuals.
Below is the official statement from BAM:
“SIX SHUTTLERS TESTED POSITIVE
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirms that a total of six shuttlers have tested positive for COVID-19.
All the shuttlers, who are asymptomatic, are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with the Ministry of Health (KKM) and Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and National Sports Council (MSN) protocol on quarantine.
Upon consultation with the KKM, MSN and the National Sports Institute (ISN), a total of 91 athletes, coaches and officials stationed at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara were immediately tested. The tests have came back negative.
The ABM has since undergone a detailed and thorough sanitization process on Friday.
A quarantine-based training is set to be re-introduced at the national badminton centre of excellence while school activities will be conducted online over the next few days.
The health, safety and well-being of everyone in ABM remains our utmost priority.
Everyone at the Association wishes the six athletes a speedy recovery.”
In March, Malaysian shuttlers have competed at the Swiss Open in Basel, Switzerland, All England Championships in Birmingham, UK, Orleans Masters in Orleans, France, and Polish Open in Gniezno, Poland. The Malaysian team clinched a total of 5 titles in Europe, including the All England men’s singles title, Swiss Open women’s doubles title, Polish Open men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles titles.
Even though BAM did not disclose the names of these shuttlers, Malaysian media Sinchew has revealed that Cheam June Wei, Wyman Goh, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Ong Ken Yon, Kisona Selvaduray, and Ching Kai Feng were among the players who were tested positive for COVID-19.
