Thinaah can’t play for Malaysia after testing positive

The national women’s team, competing in the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC), will not have the services of M. Thinaah as the doubles player tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday.

The BA of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed Thinaah’s positive test in a statement released on social media roughly two hours before Malaysia played Japan in their opening Group Y tie in Shah Alam yesterday.

Thinaah’s doubles partner Pearly Tan, however, tested negative for the virus.

“M. Thinaah has tested positive for Covid-19,” said the BAM statement.

“The shuttler, who is asymptomatic, is currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with the quarantine protocol, set by the Health Ministry, Sports Ministry and National Sports Council.


“As per the BATC tournament standard operating procedures on Covid-19, a mandatory RT-PCR test has been conducted on Thinaah’s close contacts.

“Pearly Tan’s test has returned negative. Everyone at the association wishes Thinaah a speedy recovery.”

Youngster Valeree Siow partnered Pearly in Thinaah’s absence in yesterday’s tie against Japan.