THOMAS CUP: NIGERIA YET TO ARRIVE DUE TO FLIGHT PROBLEMS

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- Nigeria, which is Malaysia's opponent in
the Group B opening match in the Thomas Cup Sunday, are yet to arrive here due
to flight problems.

Badminton World Federation (BWF) events manager M. Venugopal said the
Nigerian team are expected to arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport
(KLIA) at 3pm tomorrow, about three hours before their match against Malaysia.

"Under BWF rules, a team must arrive at least 48 hours before the
competition begins. If Nigeria fails to turn up, Malaysia will be awarded the
match with a 3-0 scoreline.

"But, during the team managers meeting today, Malaysia said they have no
problem with the delay. So, the match between Malaysia and Nigeria is still on
although the Nigerians could only arrive at the Putra Stadium, an hour before
the match," he told reporters here Saturday.

Venugopal said Nigeria ran into flight problems after one of the flights
from their capital city, Abuja, was cancelled.

"With an eight-hour transit in Dubai, the Nigerians are now expected to
arrive in Kuala Lumpur at the latest by 3pm...which is three hours before they
face Malaysia in their opening match," he said.

Nigeria’s second match is against Japan on Monday.

-- BERNAMA