The Badminton World Federation (BWF) can confirm the 55TH Portuguese International Championships 2020 to be staged in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal, starting 5 March will no longer take place on its scheduled dates.
Portuguese Badminton Federation (PBF) made the decision on the advice of health authorities regarding continued concerns over the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.
The statement read: “A risk assessment conducted by Portuguese Health Authorities has recommended that the event be cancelled / postponed.
“[We] are obliged to take this recommendation to cancel the tournament,” said PBF.
No concrete plans or decisions have been made in regards to the immediate future of the tournament other than that it won’t occur this week.
BWF accepts the decision citing the welfare of players, their entourage, fans and officials at the tournament as the main priority.
The Badminton Europe circuit tournament was an Olympic qualifying event.
The BWF is continuing to monitor all official updates on COVID-19 and is mindful that HSBC BWF World Tour and other BWF-sanctioned tournaments may be affected, but there are no concrete plans or decisions at this point to change the status of any other events.
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It includes implications for players and teams related to regulations, entries and withdrawals, rankings and reimbursement if a tournament is cancelled or postponed.
With particular reference to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification, BWF is not at this time planning to make any adjustments to the regulations related to the Olympic qualification period.