OPEN LETTER FROM BWF SECRETARY GENERAL THOMAS LUND

26 MARCH, 2020

TEXT BY BWF STAFF

Dear friends and members of the badminton community,

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this global pandemic and I hope you are keeping well and safe.

I understand and fully appreciate that coming to grips with the rapidly progressing situation over the last few weeks has caused much uncertainty – and for some, a fully understandable fear and concern for your own health and safety, and that of your relatives.

It has been our No.1 priority since this started to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all athletes, their entourage, officials and the greater badminton fraternity, while also providing full support to those most vulnerable to the coronavirus – the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.

We have been deeply engaged in conference calls with the World Health Organization (WHO), plus various health experts and have sought the advice of local and national health authorities to ensure that we always acted in the right way, at the right time and at the right place.

Our actions have been based on the highest level of expertise, although admittedly this situation has rapidly changed due to the unpredictable nature of COVID-19 and many characteristics are totally new and unknown to even the most experienced scientists.

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But, we do understand that everyone is eager to get information as quickly as possible.

So, please allow us to work in a structured, efficient and prioritised way to ensure we make the right decisions in the interests of international players and the general badminton community to ensure badminton comes out stronger on the other side.

In the meantime, be assured that BWF is monitoring all updates from WHO, various health experts, IOC and IPC very closely.

Stay safe and please follow the advice of authorities by staying at home and keeping a social distance that will help bring us through this global crisis as quickly as possible.

With my best wishes,

BWF Secretary General, Thomas Lund

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