Review: Triumph in the Face of Challenges
The world’s oldest badminton tournament returned for its 111th staging – and this one will be remembered as one held in the most challenging of circumstances.
· DEV SUKUMAR
The YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships 2021 marked a year since the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic hit badminton, for it was immediately after the 2020 edition that all tournaments were suspended. Subsequently, badminton returned with the DANISA Denmark Open in October and the Asian Leg in Bangkok in January this year.
The staging of the All England 2021 was therefore special, for it signalled the determination of BWF, its partners and stake-holders to continue with the resumption of the circuit. COVID-19 continued to throw up complications, particularly with respect to international travel, quarantine, and staging of events, and it was quite significant that the event went ahead as planned.
As with events held under strict COVID-19 safety protocols, the YONEX All England too had a bubble system designed to prevent interaction with the outside world, and to ensure social distancing and other safe practices among participants and personnel. No spectators were allowed – for the first time in the history of the All England. All participants and personnel were tested on arrival in Birmingham and again during the week.