Jayce
On 2 July, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) once again sent out an article expressing its deepest condolences to Zhang Zhijie’s family, teammates, the China Badminton Association (CBA), and the entire Chinese badminton community, and declaring that it would conduct a thorough review of the incident. Below is the original article:
BWF World Badminton Federation:
We would like to take this opportunity to once again express our deepest condolences to Zhang Zhijie’s family, his teammates, the Chinese Badminton Association and the entire Chinese badminton community.
Zhang Zhijie sadly passed away at the Asian Junior Badminton Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and we are taking all necessary measures, in consultation with the Badminton Federation of Asia (BFA) and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), to review the matter thoroughly.
Whilst the Asian Junior Badminton Championships are under the jurisdiction of the Badminton Federation of Asia (BFA), the WBF does have a comprehensive set of medical guidelines and instructions that can be used by other governing bodies (regional or national) to run WBF-sanctioned events. However, it is up to each governing body to decide how to implement these medical protocols and practices at the event site.
The BWF is awaiting an official report from the Badminton Asia Federation and the local organising committee to assess whether the correct medical procedures were followed when Zhang Zhijie collapsed on the court.
According to the medical guidelines, it is the responsibility of the tournament doctor, under the guidance of the referee, to respond to on-court emergencies (including suspected cardiac arrest) and to provide intervention in such cases until appropriate medical care (e.g. ambulance) has been obtained.
It is important to emphasise that in implementing these guidelines, all personnel need to be ready to respond to all necessary medical interventions, including emergencies, as soon as possible.
Upon completion of the review, we will determine whether any specific changes to these guidelines are required.
