Indonesia Is Forced To Withdraw From All England Because They Are Traveling With Passenger Who Is Positive For COVID-19

General Chairperson of PP PBSI Agung Firman Sampurna releases the departure of the Indonesian badminton national team to the All England tournament in Birmingham, England (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - All members of the Indonesian badminton team, both athletes, coaches, and officials, were forced to withdraw from the prestigious Yonex All England 2021 tournament due to the COVID-19 health protocol so they could not continue the match.

According to Indonesian Team Manager Ricky Soebagdja, during a flight from Istanbul to Birmingham Saturday, March 13, there was one passenger who tested positive for COVID-19.

"But we were not told who it was, how many people, and where did the person who tested positive for COVID-19 come from", said Ricky in an official statement from the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, March 18.

He said that in accordance with British government regulations, if a person is on the same plane with a person who is positive for COVID-19, all team members are required to undergo isolation for 10 days.

Thus, the Indonesian team was forced to resign and carry out isolation. until March 23, 2021, at the Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Center, commencing 10 days from arriving in Birmingham, Saturday, March 13.

“From the BWF and the All England committee themselves, they cannot do anything because this has become a British government regulation", said Ricky.

Even so, he ensures that all members of the Indonesian team who are currently in Birmingham are in good health and well.

"This is an extremely painful and disappointing incident for all of us", Ricky concluded.

The Indonesian badminton team left for Birmingham on Friday, March 12 at 21.40 p.m. local time using Turkish Airlines flight number TK57 and landed the next day Saturday afternoon local time.