Next month’s German Open, an Olympic qualifying badminton event, in Mulheim has been called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a brief statement, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said: “The Yonex German Open in Mulheim on March 9-14 has been cancelled.

This is unsightly a piece of shattering news to the shuttles, hoping to achieve in the Tokyo Games.

The German Open, a Super 300 event, was slated as the second tournament of the 2021 season after the Swiss Open on March 2-7.