DESPITE being affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) do not have to spend extra on their players stranded in Europe.
Currently, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean, Vivian Hoo-Yap Cheng Wen, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing are in Paris, training with the French national team, ahead of the All England on March 11-15.
Initially, the players, who participated in last month’s Spain Masters, were only supposed to be in France for a week but following the cancellation of the German Open, BAM had no choice but to extend their stay there.
BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said: “It’s unfortunate but thankfully the singles players who were supposed to be in Germany for the German Open are training here in Kuala Lumpur.
“So in terms of expenses, we didn't have to spend on anything more.
“For now, we have not heard anything about the All England or even the Swiss Open, so we will wait and see.”
However, Kenny admitted that BAM will have to re-look into their planning for the players ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July.
With several tournaments already called off due to the deadly virus, players will have to find other tournaments to earn ranking points as the one-year qualifying period ends in April.