Malaysia’s national badminton players have safety arrived in Birmingham ahead of the prestigious All England Championships, despite escalating tensions in the Middle East that disrupted air travel across the region.
The Malaysian contingent managed to transit smoothly through Dubai International Airport on Saturday, just hours before flight operations were suspended on Sunday following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran. The suspension later left several international travellers stranded, including India’s women’s single star P.V Sindhu, who was reported to be stuck at the airport.
National women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah and mixed doubles duo Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei departed Kuala Lumpur in the early hours of Saturday morning, a move that helped them avoid the subsequent description at Dubai.
The pair had skipped last week’s German Open and joined other Malaysian shuttlers in Birmingham who had already competed in Germany. National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky confirmed that the team experienced a smooth transit in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said the association has been closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant contact with the players.
Among the BAM pairs expected to return to Malaysia after the All England are Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Pearly-Thinaah, and Tang Jie-Ee Wei. independent men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Ong Ye Sin-Teo Ee Yi will also head home from Birmingham.
Other Malaysian shuttlers will proceed directly from the All England to complete in the Swiss Open in Basel from 10th to 15th March, followed by the Orleans Masters in France from 17th March-22nd March as the team continues it’s busy international campaign amid global uncertainties.
Sources: NST
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