Hong Kong badminton star Angus Ng withdraws from Swiss Open after positive Covid-19 test
- Ng’s absence from the Swiss Open leaves Lee Chuk-yiu as Hong Kong’s sole representative
- Badminton World Federation said Team China have withdrawn all their players from the Super 300 event in Basel after a number of Covid-19 cases
Hong Kong badminton star Angus Ng Ka-long has withdrawn from this week’s Swiss Open after contracting Covid-19 in England.
The entire Chinese team, who were also competing at last week’s All England Open, have also been forced to pull out of the Super 300 event in Basel because of a number of coronavirus infections in the squad.
“Citing concerns to the welfare and safety of all participants at the tournament, Team China have subsequently withdrawn all their players from the YONEX Swiss Open 2022,” global governing body Badminton World Federation said in a statement.
China are a traditional badminton powerhouse, winning 10 Thomas Cups (men’s team competition), 15 Uber Cups (women’s team competition) and 12 Sudirman Cups (mixed team competition).
They are also the most successful country in badminton at the Olympics with 20 gold medals.
Ng’s absence from the Swiss Open leaves Lee Cheuk-yiu as Hong Kong’s sole representative, and he will begin his tournament against Toma Junior Popov, the world No 33, from France on Wednesday.
“I am feeling quite OK without any symptoms, I have already received three Covid shots, I hope this Friday’s test will be negative,” said Ng, whose world ranking dropped from 10 to 11 in the newly released BWF world ranking list.
