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KUALA LUMPUR (9 MAY 2010) – Malaysia were declared 5-0 winners over Nigeria after they failed to show up at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil for their opening Group B match in the 26th edition of the PROTON-BWF Thomas Cup Finals tonight.
Badminton World Federation (BWF) chief executive officer Thomas Lund told a press conference together with tournament referee, Mojmir Hnilica, that Nigeria’s fate in the tournament will depend on what transpires in the next few hours.
While three Nigerian officials arrived in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon, it is learnt the players have yet to arrive as they took a different flight.
“We have been told the Nigerian team ran into flight snags after their originating flight from Abuja via Dubai was cancelled. The BWF and the tournament referee will discuss the matter further later tonight or the latest by tomorrow morning before deciding on the next move,” said Lund.
“Right now we have no confirmation if the players have boarded the flight or not. There is no communication from them. It is true that there is a ruling that a team must arrive at the tournament venue 48 hours before it starts for the team managers meeting. Nigeria confirmed their participation by phone after running into flight problems,” added Hnilica.
KUALA LUMPUR (9 MAY 2010) – The Nigerian Thomas Cup team failed to arrive in Kuala Lumpur in time for their Group B match against Malaysia.
According to a statement issued by Badminton World Federation (BWF) media and communications manager S. Selvam the Nigerian team suffered a travel delay forcing the match, scheduled for 1800 hours (Malaysian time), to be put on hold.
“The tournament referee and other BWF officials will go through the tournament rules and regulations to decide on the fate of Nigeria in the tournament. A decision on the Nigerian team will be made in due course,” said Selvam.
KUALA LUMPUR ( 8 MAY 2010) – Thomas Cup African qualifiers Nigeria are expected to arrive by 3pm tomorrow – three hours before they face Malaysia in their opening Group B match.
According to Badminton World Federation (BWF) events manager M.Venugopal, Nigeria ran into flight problems after one of the flights from Abuja was cancelled.
“With an eight-hour transit in Dubai, the Nigerians are now expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur at the latest by 3pm...which is three hours before they face Malaysia in their opening match,” said Venugopal.
The other team in the group is Japan.
Under BWF rules, a team must arrive at least 48 hours before the competition begins.
“If Nigeria fails to turn up, Malaysia will be awarded the match with a 3-0 scoreline,” said Venugopal. “But there is still time and we hope that they (Nigerians) will arrive in time for the match against Malaysia.”
Nigeria’s second match is against Japan on Monday. Malaysia play Japan in their second match on Tuesday.
Source : Thomas & Uber Cup 2010 Official Website
