NEW DELHI, Jan 9: Top Indian shuttler B Sai Praneeth, who won the 2019 World Championships bronze medal, today pulled out of the season-opening India Open Super 500 tournament after testing positive for COVID-19.
“Yes, I have tested positive for COVID-19 in RT-PCR test. I had cold and cough since yesterday. I am isolating at home,” Praneeth said.
“I will have to wait for at least a week before testing again. It is an important year and there is hardly any time to regain fitness. I hope I can get back to court quickly.”
Badminton Association of India (BAI) general secretary, Ajay Singhania, too, confirmed Praneeth’s withdrawal from the USD 400,000 tournament.
Another Indian player, double specialist Dhruv Rawat, also tested positive for the virus ahead of his departure for the national capital to participate in the tournament starting on Tuesday.
“We have received the withdrawal of Sai Praneeth and Dhruv Rawat as both players have tested positive. We are strictly monitoring and it’s mandatory for all players to update their RT-PCR reports before reaching New Delhi. We are also conducting tests before everyone enters the stadium,” said Singhania. (PTI)
In January last year, Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy had tested positive in Thailand but were found to be negative after re-examination.
Organised by the BAI, the 2022 edition of India Open will be held behind closed doors at the Indira Gandhi Stadium’s KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, with the governing body laying down strict COVID-19 protocols.
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