The Yonex-Sunrise Vietnam GP Open 2014, a tournament which was disrupted yesterday after a section of the venue’s roof collapsed, re-started at an alternate venue today.
Following the roof collapse at Phan Dinh Phung Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City), host organisers Ho Chi Minh City Badminton Association (HCMC BA) – under the guidance of the national governing body Vietnam Badminton Federation – identified a new venue, Tan Binh Sports Center (below). Organisers worked all night to prepare the venue for competition which re-started today at 10 am.
“Nobody was hurt when the roof collapsed,” said Huynh Ngoc Lien, Senior Vice-President of HCMC BA, who kept Badminton World Federation (BWF) informed of the situation and the new course of action.
Although matches had to be rescheduled, referee Julie Carrel was confident that the matches would follow the original programme by the quarter-final stage on Friday (5 September). Carrel was happy that the host organisers were able to ready the new venue in such a short time.
“There were no withdrawals or complaints. Everybody has been supportive. I’m very happy with the new venue and I cannot believe the situation was turned around so quickly,” said Carrel.
Tan Binh Sports Center was the venue of the badminton competition for the 2003 SEA Games.
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