We take care of ourselves for match not to shed blood, Srikanth lashes out at BWF

The 27-year-old was disappointed after the coronavirus testing.

Star Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth expressed his displeasure over the way of conducting Covid-19 tests in Thailand as he suffered a bleeding nose after submitting his sample.

The former World No. 1 who is currently plying his trade at the Yonex Thailand Open in Bangkok lashed his frustration out at BWF through his social media handle where he posted pictures of his bleeding nose.

Kidambi Srikanth said, “We take care of ourselves for the match not to come and shed blood for this. However, I gave four tests after I have arrived and I can’t say any of them have been pleasant. Unacceptable.”

Earlier in the day, the Covid-19 reports of Saina Nehwal and HS Pronnay came positive. Parupalli Kashyap was reportedly sharing the room with wife Saina, hence he was sent into isolation and their opponents were given a walkover.

Along with Prannoy and Saina, two other athletes were also tested positive. However according to the official statement, upon retesting the samples, it was found out that three out of four athletes including one Indian were tested negative.

Parupalli Kashyap then took to Twitter to express his disappointment on the decision and complained to the organizers that why didn’t they reschedule the matches of players tested negative on subsequent tests. He wrote, "Why no chance of rescheduling the match if false positive?"

The statement issued by the apex badminton body read, “BWF was informed this morning hours before the start of the YONEX Thailand Open that the four players tested positive for COVID-19 in Bangkok after the third round of mandatory testing was conducted on Monday 11 January 2021. The four players included two from India, one from Germany, and one from Egypt."

"Upon retesting the same specimens, one player from India, and both players from Germany and Egypt were found to be negative. These three players will be tested again today. One Indian player remains positive and is in isolation for a minimum of 10 days at the hospital. That person will be tested again today also. The match involving this player was declared a walkover."

ALSO READ: Sindhu, Praneeth face major upsets in first round of Thailand Open

The statement added, "Today’s match featuring the roommate of this player has also been declared a walkover. That player is in self-quarantine and also subject to another test today. BWF and Badminton Association of Thailand will continue to follow all protocols outlined by the local health authorities to ensure the safety of all other participants."

Kidambi Srikanth will face compatriot Sourabh Verma in the first round of the tournament on Wednesday.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.