Players at World Badminton Championship to be tested for swine flu

Temperature checks for all players and officials at world badminton championship

Players at World Badminton Championship to be tested for swine flu

Temperature checks for all players and officials at world badminton championship

World Badminton Federation's Chief Operating Officer Thomas Lund cleared some doubts regarding the Malaysian coach, who is supposedly isolated in a local hospital and is being treated for symptoms of swine flu.

However, officials of BWF and Badminton Association of India (BAI) were not very forthcoming on what do other teams and players feel about the health situation.

"We came to know that the coach (alleged to be named Jeremy but not officially named by the BWF) had fever and cough. He had to be treated and is at a local hospital under observation. The report will be out tomorrow.

We are told the chances of him having swine flu are very low but we have asked all players and officials to take care. We will be checking their body temperature twice a day," said Lund.

The situation is such that there are a lot of players and police officials wearing masks.

In fact, Thai player Patipat Chalardchaleam has been hospitalised with suspected Swine flu. Meanwhile, the England squad that abandoned the tournament due to a security issue, is being constantly ridiculed.

"I can understand if they had left Hyderabad because of the swine flu threat, but leaving because of a terrorist threat was sheer cowardice," said an official.

Sadly, there is a huge shadow over these world championships, a shadow of fear. It is lurking in the corridors of the stadium and also in the team hotel. The BWF and BAI have no control. The world body would do well to issue updates on the situation so that the rumour levels don't rise.

As of now, the talking point at the event is swine flu and nothing else.

One only hopes the Malaysian coach and the Thai player don't test positive. For, it will put the event in severe jeopardy.