Copenhagen: Denmark players have expressed their disappointment that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has decided to postpone the three Asia legs of the World Tour to January 2021, instead of November 2020 as initially planned.
Denmark’s World No. 12 men’s doubles players Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen both took to their social media pages to vent their frustration as they were unhappy how BWF was using the word “good news” as the title of the postponement announcement.
Astrup posted: “Maybe I’m not the right person to define if this is good or bad … but WTF? Good News that we just keep postponing the world tour??? How is this good news for our sport?”
His partner, Rasmussen also conveyed his displeasure with the following message: “Are you Fxxxxxx kidding me calling this ‘good’ news”.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s current World No. 42 men’s singles player Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus also described the BWF announcement was making no sense.
“The disrespect towards so many players by labeling this ‘good news’ is nothing but insane,” said Vittinghus.
“Shows a complete lack of understanding for the impact it has for many of us!”
BWF has suspended almost all tournaments since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike most Asian players who were funded and paid by their respective Badminton Associations, European players generally getting paid through endorsement and sponsorship deals, and also by winning the tournament prize money payout.
The long period of not competing at international tournaments have seriously impacted the players’ income and livelihoods very badly.
Based on the BWF schedule, the 2020 Denmark Open which will be held in Odense from October 13th to 18th, will be the only remaining international competition this year. Thailand will host two open tournaments from January 12th to 24th, 2021, followed by the year-end Finals on from January 27 to January 31 2021.
