Viktor Axelsen has made a scathing attack on Badminton World Federation (BWF) over $5000 fine and regarding the irregularities in getting prize money in time. Axelsen, who has missed the recent Malaysia Masters, Singapore Open and Canada Open due to a left hamstring strain, he suffered during the Sudirman Cup quarterfinal between Denmark and Malaysia. Axelsen had limped out of his much-anticipated men’s singles match against world no. 8 Lee Zii Jia after both players were tied at 4-4 in the opening game. @bwfmedia wants to fine me 5k dollars for not showing up to Singapore Open for two days while doing rehab for my muscle strain in order to get ready for Indonesia Open. As a start, with flight tickets, hotel and flight back we are getting close to 5k dollars. Combined with not… pic.twitter.com/UYc0fOvkeC— Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) July 12, 2023 On Wednesday, the Denmark shuttler has posted pn twitter that BWF has fined for $5000 dollars for not showing up to Singapore Open, while the athlete claims he was undergoing rehab for his muscle strain. "@bwfmedia wants to fine me 5k dollars for not showing up to Singapore Open for two days while doing rehab for my muscle strain in order to get ready for Indonesia Open," he wrote on Twitter. "As a start, with flight tickets, hotel and flight back we are getting close to 5k dollars. Combined with not being able to do my proper rehab and training in order to get ready for their level 1000 event. "Ironically we still haven’t received prize money from Indonesia which should be on the players account already 😂 Oh the irony! (See regulations next picture) I’ll let you know how it goes." Player welfare is of utmost importance to BWF, and we appreciate and welcome athlete feedback on matters relating to it. BWF, however, would like to clarify that parts of this statement are inaccurate and out of context, and as such, are displeased by the reaction of the player.… https://t.co/3PbEOAY5Gi— BWF (@bwfmedia) July 14, 2023 On this allegation, the world governing body has responded saying player welfare is the utmost importance for BWF. "Player welfare is of utmost importance to BWF, and we appreciate and welcome athlete feedback on matters relating to it. BWF, however, would like to clarify that parts of this statement are inaccurate and out of context, and as such, are displeased by the reaction of the player. BWF will thus take up the issue separately with the player and the Member Association concerned," BWF said in a statement. The reigning Olympic and World Championships gold medallist reverted with a strong raising the question of shuttlers not getting prize money in time. Which part is wrong? The player obligation: I understand that we have obligations and that is totally fine, I personally love to promote the sport, but to make the athletes travel on their expense, even though injured, is that fair? I’m not talking about myself only, but for… pic.twitter.com/75ez1qOu7n— Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) July 14, 2023 "Which part is wrong? The player obligation: I understand that we have obligations and that is totally fine, I personally love to promote the sport, but to make the athletes travel on their expense, even though injured, is that fair? "I’m not talking about myself only, but for some players, the budget is limited and having to travel on their own expense without taking part in the tournament is a big blow to their yearly budget which can be tight with all the tournaments around the globe. If that’s how you want it to be, fine. But don’t tell me players welfare is utmost importance to you then. If that was the case you would invest in plane tickets and 1-2 days hotel for the athletes who are obligated to do promotion. "Secondly, the prize money issue. If I’m wrong that prize money is often delayed then give us proof that I’m wrong? "I understand it goes like this: >organizer pays prize money to BWF > BWF pays to federation > Federation pays to the player. "I also understand that overseas transfers can take a few days to go through, but that doesn’t explain some of the delays in payment other the last few years. "If athletes welfare is so important to you, then why don’t BWF make sure that the athletes prize money in time first, even if you haven’t received money from the organizers yet? It cannot be the athletes problem that the money is sometimes delayed from the organizers? "I looked at your annual report and as I can see it you have more than enough capital to make sure athletes get their prize money in time?"
