Media Accreditation for Asian Leg of HSBC BWF World Tour in Bangkok

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) can announce plans for media accreditation for the Asia leg of the HSBC BWF World Tour 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Due to the COVID-19 situation and the strict safety protocols and operating procedures in place at the venue in Bangkok in key areas such as the Interview Area, Media Centre and FOP – BWF and BAT have made the tough but important decision to only grant media accreditation to selected organisations and personnel. Accreditation will be only awarded on a priority basis at the discretion of BWF and BAT. The following groups have been pre-approved to have Green Zone accreditation:

1. Host Broadcaster
2. Rights Holding Broadcasters
3. BWF/BAT Appointed Photographers
4. BWF/BAT Media Staff

Members of the media located in Bangkok (Thai media plus international agencies/publications with a satellite office in Bangkok) will be permitted to attend onsite in the Red Zone only. Please refer to the attached Media Operations & Safety Protocols document attached for more details.

Thai media should send their applications using the Thai language form attached to Badminton Association of Thailand via [email protected]. International agencies/publications with staff in Bangkok should send their applications using the English language form attached to [email protected]. Entries close Sunday 20 December 2020. Numbers are limited. Late applications will not be accepted.

Note, no other photographers including those representing Thailand media and international agencies/publications located in Bangkok will be permitted onto the Field of Play (FOP). A single vantage point to take photos from an elevated position is available in the Red Zone Media Centre. All images from the FOP will instead be supplied by BWF and BAT, and also available via Getty Images.

BWF will once again activate the BWF Digital Media Hub to facilitate access to essential content for all media not permitted onsite. This includes images, flash quotes, and video interviews with players. Note that access will be controlled by BWF and its partners. Please sign up via the link below by Tuesday 5 January 2021: http://eepurl.com/heUZ7H

BWF can also publish its Media Operations & Safety Protocols document for the Asian leg of the HSBC BWF World Tour 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand. This outlines the relevant procedures and precautions put in place to ensure the health and safety of all players and participants onsite. See attached and here.

Please understand that these decisions are solely to protect players, team entourage and key personnel operating in confined spaces at the HSBC BWF World Tour 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand. We trust you understand this reasoning and support BWF’s plans for a safe return to international badminton.