Mr. Napapat Prapaitrakul, Project Manager of “SCG Badminton Academy,” revealed that in accordance with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s announcement on Containment of COVID-19 requiring the temporary closure of sports venues and fitness centers across Bangkok from 22 March to 30 April, the training camp at SCG Badminton Academy is keen to cooperate in containing the epidemic by temporarily closing the camp and allowing Badminton athletes to return to their families. The athletes are strictly instructed not to visit the deemed high-risk areas or travel to other provinces, and required to maintain their physical fitness as much as their homes can facilitate. The coaching team will continue to assist them in getting back on track for practices.
“For the time being, athletes have returned to their families and been fully rested. In a regular routine, they will take one day rest a week from extensive training. After all players returning home, our cleaners have regularly and thoroughly sanitized every part of the camp and all sports equipment.”
In light of the decision made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announcing the postponement of 2020 Olympic Games or “the 2020 Tokyo Games” set for 24 July-9 August to next year, SCG Badminton Academy Project Manager said he anticipated to learn a new Olympic qualification process as qualifiers are based on performance during the qualifying period from 29 April 2019 to 26 April 2020. If the new qualification is declared, the coaching team will discuss and plan the training competently accordingly when the COVID-19 pandemic is resolved and the athletes can resume routine training.