Hong Kong number one Angus Ng is almost certain to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: AFP
Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3065242/coronavirus-hong-kong-players-try-avoid-quarantine-training Hong Kong
Coronavirus: Hong Kong players try to avoid quarantine by training in Singapore en route to Asian Championships in Manila
- Hong Kong shuttlers were forced to miss the Asian Team Championships in Manila in February because of Philippines quarantine requirements
- Lee Cheuk-yiu needs rankings points in Manila, which marks the end of the Tokyo Olympics qualifying process
2019 Hong Kong Open champion Lee Cheuk-yiu still needs to work hard to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Kelly Ho
Hong Kong badminton players will hope to avoid 14 days of quarantine by spending next month’s overseas training camp in Singapore before taking part in the Asia Championships (individual events) in Manila.
The April 21-26 tournament was moved to the Philippines capital from Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, which is the epicentre of the coronavirus crisis. Even the event venue in Wuhan has been converted into a makeshift hospital.
The Hong Kong team were unable to play in the Asian Team Championships in Manila last month after Philippine authorities asked them to observe a two-week quarantine period. This meant Hong Kong are out of the Thomas and Uber Cup finals in Denmark in May because the Asian event was part of the qualifiers.
Tim He Yiming, head badminton coach at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, said he was not surprised Manila had been chosen to replace Wuhan given they staged the team tournament but he is determined to make sure Hong Kong take part this time.
“The regional championships will be the last chance to grab qualification points for the Tokyo Olympics and that’s why we have to be there,” said He. “After all, it is equivalent to a world tour 500 level tournament which offers significant world ranking points, which will be of benefit for the draw in Tokyo. Whether a player has qualified for Olympics or not, they will still want to play.”
With the Philippines still restricting travellers from Hong Kong because of the Covid-19 threat, the Hong Kong team need to take another route to Manila.
Angus Ng reached the semi-finals of the 2019 All England Open in Birmingham before losing to world number one Kento Momota of Japan. Photo: AFP
“We were told last time we could still get in the country for competitions provided we go through a 14-day quarantine period but it was a last-minute call and there was no way we could have made it,” said He. “Since we will be playing in the Singapore Open from April 7-12, we will stay there for a training camp the following week before travelling to Manila.
“We hope this can solve the quarantine problem because we will have left Hong Kong for more than 14 days.”
Badminton Asia, the regional governing body, said they had been working closely with the Philippine Badminton Association to ensure visa approval and entry into Manila for players and officials so they can compete in this important tournament.
Cheung Ngan-yi is also close to securing her Olympic spot for Tokyo in the women’s singles after missing the 2016 Rio Games. Photo: EPA
The Hong Kong team went to Germany for an overseas training stint after aborting the Manila trip to avoid any potential quarantine risks. However, the German Open in Mulheim this week was cancelled owing to the coronavirus outbreak but the 2020 All England Open, which offers the highest ranking points, will go ahead in Birmingham next week as scheduled.
Hong Kong number one Angus Ng Ka-long reached the semi-finals at Arena Birmingham last year before losing to champion Kento Momota, of Japan. While Ng is almost secure in his Olympic spot, number two Lee Cheuk-yiu still needs to work hard to seal the second men’s singles berth for Hong Kong in the Olympics.