Tokyo 2020: Shuttler Angus Ng wants any Olympic qualifier changes to be fair to all

Hong Kong’s top badminton player, Angus Ng Ka-long, wants the qualification system to remain fair for all athletes after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were pushed back to next year because of the global coronavirus pandemic.

While appreciating the International Olympic Committee’s decision to postpone the Summer Games and alleviate health concerns, Ng is worried about the qualification system for Tokyo, which has been undermined by the epidemic’s wide spread over the past few months.

“If we have to play under the fear of the epidemic, it is impossible for the players to display their best on the badminton courts,” said Ng, the world No 8 in men’s singles. “It is therefore good to see the IOC and the Tokyo Games organisers agree to postpone the 2020 Olympics.

“But with the Games to start next year, we don’t know whether it will affect the qualification system which is not yet completed in accordance with the original schedule. If there is any change, I hope it can be as fair as possible to all players involved.”

Following the epidemic spreading from Asia to the rest of the world, many badminton tournaments have been postponed indefinitely. Hong Kong was severely affected as it was denied the chance to attend the Asia Team Championships in Manila in February.

The German Open, Swiss Open, Malaysia Open, India Open and Singapore Open – all ranked above World Tour Super 300 level and falling within the Olympic qualification period due to end next month – were called off.