In another blow to 2021’s first international badminton tournament, Indonesia’s men’s doubles top seeds Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon have withdrawn from the Thailand Open, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said on Wednesday. According to an AFP report, Sukamuljo tested positive for coronavirus, forcing the duo to pull out.

Known as the the ‘Minions’, Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon join the star-studded Chinese and Japanese contingents in the list of non-participants in the upcoming competition. Japan was the first country to withdraw their participation after men’s world number one Kento Momota tested positive before departure. China followed the islanders when coronavirus rules prevented them from leaving the country, Thailand’s badminton chief told AFP.

However, the Indonesian pair’s loss will only add to the worries of the BWF that has been trying to get the sport running.

Sukamuljo developed coronavirus symptoms last month including a loss of taste and smell and a mild flu, according to the BWF website. After testing positive he has been recovering in isolation at his home.

“Thank you for your prayers and support, I hope I can recover quickly and be able to train again as before,” Sukamuljo said.

“This is also a lesson for me to always be vigilant in the future.”

The Thailand Open is the first of three tournaments scheduled to take place in Bangkok in consecutive weeks, kick-starting the world tour after a coronavirus-ravaged 2020.

However, on Wednesday the BWF said all 824 people including players, coaches and umpires, living in “bubble” conditions in Bangkok, have tested negative and were cleared to train under strict safety protocols.

Thailand initially appeared to have escaped the worst of the virus, registering just under 4,000 total cases in November, despite being just the second country to detect an infection early last year.

But an outbreak last month at a seafood market has mushroomed, with infections now detected in 56 of the kingdom’s 77 provinces. The caseload had risen to 9,331 as of Tuesday.