Thailand Open 2021: Saina Nehwal can play on Wednesday, positive Covid-19 report was false

London Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal will be allowed to play at Thailand Open 2021 from Wednesday. The Badminton World Federation said on Tuesday that the Indian shuttler had tested positive for Covid-19 and was asked to be in isolation for 10 days at a Bangkok hospital.

After India Today broke the news, the BWF in a statement confirmed that Saina is cleared to take part in the draw at the Super1000 tournament. Notably, Saina's opening match against Malaysia's Selvaduray Kisona was treated as a walkover by the BWF.

Also, Saina Nehwal's husband and roommate Parupalli Kashyap will be openinig his campaign on Wednesday. Kashyap was asked to self-quarantine by the BWF and his men's singles opening match was also considered a walkover.

Saina, Prannoy not currently infected: BWF

"BWF and Badminton Association of Thailand 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. They are confirmed as Saina Nehwal (India), HS Prannoy (India), and Jones Ralfy Jansen (Germany). The fourth player, Adham Hatem Elgamal from Egypt, has been withdrawn," the BWF said in a statement.

"Nehwal, Prannoy and Jansen tested positive on the PCR test but their antibody IgG was positive. A positive antibody test means a person has been infected with the COVID-19 virus at some point in the past. It does not mean they are currently infected. 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," it added.

Badminton Association of India had argued that Saina had followed all protocols and was in quarantine in Thailand after arriving in Bangok on January 3 for the first of the two Super 1000 tournaments, which marks the return of elite athletes to the BWF tour after the enforced break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in the city. BAI wanted Saina to be retested for Covid-19. The BWF confirmed on Tuesday that all 4 players would be retested.

There has been quite a lot of confusion in the lead up to Thailand Open as the BWF on Tuesday said there were 4 positive cases of Covid-19 after the third round of mandatory testing on Monday. However, the global said, upon retesting the same specimen, 3 players, including an Indian shuttler, was found to be negative. The Indian player in question was HS Prannoy.

The BWF though said the entire Indian team was categorised high risk by Thai health authorities and all players and team entourage were currently self-quarantining in their rooms at the hotel and will be subject to a PCR test today. While other players were allowed to feature in their fist-round matches, support staff were banned from entering the court.

Parupalli Kashyap took to social media to question whether Saina would be allowed to play if she returns a negative test.

Why no chance of rescheduling the match if false positive . ? https://t.co/84ohZBAWnE — Parupalli Kashyap (@parupallik) January 12, 2021

Nehwal was miffed with the approach of the authorities as she later took to social media to say that she was yet to receive her report and alleged confusion regarding her test. According to Nehwal, she never received her test report from the previous day, which should usually have reached her 5 hours post the test.

Srikanth upset with medical officials treatment

Meanwhile, star shuttler Kidambi Srikanth, who is set to open his campaign on Wednesday, alleged poor treatment from the health officials at the Thailand Open in Bangkok.

In a tweet that he shared on Tuesday, he showed a bleeding nose and said that he has taken 4 Covid-19 tests and the experience has never been pleasant.

“We take care of ourselves for the match not to come and shed blood for THIS . However , I gave 4 tests after I have arrived and I can’t say any of them have been pleasant. Unacceptable,” Kidambi Srikanth said.

We take care of ourselves for the match not to come and shed blood for THIS . However , I gave 4 tests after I have arrived and I can’t say any of them have been pleasant .
Unacceptable pic.twitter.com/ir56ji8Yjw — Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) January 12, 2021