Bhubaneswar: Odisha is all set to host the inaugural edition BWF Odisha Open 2022, an international badminton tournament which will witness over 300 players from 18 countries vie for the top honours.
The BWF Super 100 tournament will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack from 25 to 30 January.
However, the event will be held behind closed doors with no spectators and strict adherence to Covid guidelines and norms laid down by the State Government and Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“Odisha is hosting this event for the first time and our collective efforts is to ensure an overall safe and secured environment for players to participate in their respective games. The Sports and Youth Services Department is working closing with Badminton Association of India and Odisha State Badminton Association to ensure that the event is as per BWF standards and is conducted smoothly with safety of players being given utmost priority. Covid protocols have also been clearly defined. We look forward to hosting all the players and officials and wish them a wonderful stay in Odisha and good luck for their event”, shared Odisha Sports Minister, Tusharkanti Behera.
As per the protocols laid down by Odisha Government and Badminton World Federation (BWF), RTPCR test is mandatory for all players and officials and they have to arrive before 23 January to participate in the event. Players also need to carry their RTPCR negative reports (72 hours) at the time of arrival along with their vaccination certificate. Moreover, as per the BWF guidelines, no player shall be allowed to enter the venue (event and practice) without a prior negative RTPCR report.
State associations have also been asked to intimate players on these guidelines. Random testing shall also be conducted for officials and players not staying at Official hotels. Teams from Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Capital Hospital along with a dedicated team from State Sports Department will be deployed for this.