Malaysia: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) have failed to cool a heated row between Chinese and Malaysian governing bodies over air conditioning during the men’s singles final at the world championships on Sunday.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) were unhappy as temperatures soared at the Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou during the showpiece match between their charge Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan.
Lee had taken the first set but struggled in the second before quitting in the third with cramps, with Malaysian media claiming that the air conditioning had been switched off midway through the match to aid Lin.
The BWF, after queries from the BAM, said they had contacted the local organising committee (LOC) and had been assured there was no foul play.
“The LOC confirmed that the air-conditioners in the venue were not turned off at any time during the finals,” the BWF said in a statement. REUTERS
