Thomas, Uber Cup finals put off to August

The Badminton World Federation has postponed the Thomas and Uber Cup, the premier global men's and women's team championship, to be held in Denmark for three months from the earlier scheduled date in May in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BWF took the decision after "consultation and consensus" with tournament hosts Badminton Denmark. The tournament is now scheduled for August 15-23 in Aarhus, Denmark.

"... it has come to the conclusion that due to extraordinary circumstances related to the severe escalation of the COVID-19 outbreak globally, the tournament could not take place on its originally scheduled dates," read a statement from the BWF.

"The BWF can confirm that the TOTAL BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2020 to be staged in Aarhus, Denmark, from 16-24 May has been postponed until 15-23 August 2020."

The postponement of Thomas and Uber Cup came after the BWF suspended five more tournaments on Friday, including three continental championships crucial for Tokyo Olympics qualification but stripped of that significance now, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic in the host cities.

BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund said: "All relevant health, safety and logistical risks have been considered by BWF, Badminton Denmark, tournament organisers, Sport Event Denmark, and the local Aarhus government in reaching this decision.

"The health, safety and wellbeing of all athletes, their entourage, officials and the greater badminton community is the top priority. Heightened travel and quarantine restrictions and the subsequent extreme logistical complications this has caused has also contributed to the postponement," he said on Friday.

He said while the BWF look forward to staging this tournament at a later date, the world body's thoughts were first and foremost with everyone affected by this pandemic around the world.

The decision was made with the approval of the BWF Council, Badminton Denmark, Aarhus Municipality and BWF's commercial partner.

BWF has also been forced to move the BWF Members' Forum and AGM 2020. Both are key events on the BWF calendar and will now take place on August 20 and 21 in Aarhus.