The start of All England Open Badminton Championships 2021 at  Birmingham has been delayed after several COVID-19 tests conducted were deemed inconclusive. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said today that a small number of COVID-19 positive tests were recorded, and in agreement with Public Health England, these cases will be retested. These cases will continue to self-isolate while they are retested.

Meanwhile, the inconclusive samples will be rerun and the play will now commence at 2 pm GMT rather than 9 am GMT, today.

Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal said yesterday that she is still waiting for her COVID-19 test report even as the All England Open is set to start. The window for qualification for Tokyo Olympics has been extended until June 15 and as a result, Saina would look to ensure there is no slip-up.