Thailand opt out of Thomas & Uber Cup due to COVID-19 issues

Chennai, September 7

Thailand have been forced to pull out of next month's Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Denmark due to a combination of COVID-19 related issues and injuries, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said on Monday.

Thailand, who were placed in Group D of the men's Thomas Cup and Group C of the women's Uber Cup, are the third country to opt out after Chinese Taipei and Australia.

"Badminton Association of Thailand cited special circumstances related to COVID-19 in addition to injuries to key players in making the decision," BWF said in a statement without elaborating on the issues.

The BWF added that the tournament will go ahead as scheduled in a 'bubble' in Aarhus from October 3-11, with the replacements yet to be announced.

The biennial international tournament, originally scheduled to take place in May, had initially been postponed to August due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being moved to the new dates when the Danish government extended its ban on large gatherings.