The 84th Senior Badminton National Championships scheduled to be held in Lucknow from April 27 to May 3 has been put on hold due to the dreaded COVD-19 pandemic, Badminton Association of India (BAI) said on Tuesday.
The coronavirus outbreak has claimed 16,000 lives worldwide, while infecting close to 4,00,000. India has reported nine deaths and nearly 500 positive cases so far.
Given the situation, BAI has asked all state secretaries not to book their tickets for Lucknow.
"We have put on hold the 84th Senior nationals badminton Championships and 75th Inter State - Inter Zonal in light of the coronavirus outbreak. We have advised the state secretaries not to book any ticket for the Lucknow event," Ajay Singhania told PTI.
"There is a lockdown in the country till March 31st to flatten the virus curve and we can't put our players or officials at risk. We will take a call on the tournament on April 1 as and when the government comes up with a new advisory."