BAM's Wong Choong Hann in self-isolation, team flies to Bangkok
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann is in self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19.
Wong, 43, is reported to be asymptomatic and as such is currently undergoing self-isolation in accordance with the Health Ministry's guidelines...
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann is in self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19.
Wong (above), 43, is reported to be asymptomatic and as such is currently undergoing self-isolation in accordance with the Health Ministry's guidelines.
The New Straits Times reported BAM as saying that it is on standby for all eventualities as the national shuttlers are set to leave for Bangkok today for the BWF Tour Asian leg, that runs from Jan 12-Jan 31.
Wong was among 39 players and coaches who underwent the mandatory pre-tournament swab tests on Saturday and was the only one who returned with a positive result.
BAM secretary-general Kenny Goh said Wong was with national players during training sessions.
"He was with the players during training sessions. However, we had strict standard operating procedures in place during training," said Kenny.
"Therefore, even though Wong is down with Covid-19, the other players all tested negative, and they will still be cleared for departure.
"The good thing about the tournament in Thailand is that the players will still have to undergo several Covid-19 tests, he said.
In his days as a player, Wong was runner-up to Xie Xuanje in the 2003 World Championships and also played on two Thomas Cup teams that finished second in 1998 and 2002. He also bagged three Commonwealth Games gold medals and two SEA Games gold medals.
The players currently headed to Bangkok are Lee Zii Jia, Liew Daren (men's singles), Soniia Cheah (women's singles), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men's doubles), Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean, Vivian Hoo-Yap Cheng Wen, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's double), Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See (mixed doubles).
It is understood that upon arrival in Thailand, the players will have to undergo quarantine until Jan 11, a day before the Yonex Thailand Open kicks off.
Furthermore, they will have to undergo swab tests every three days while those who qualify for the BWF World Tour Finals on Jan 27-31 will also need to go through two more swab tests — before the tournament and before their return to Malaysia.
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