Malaysian badminton team prepares for French Open amid Paris protests

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is closely monitoring the situation in Paris as the French Open begins, sending a list of its players and coaches to the Malaysian embassy for possible assistance. Secretary-general Kenny Goh confirmed that the Super 750 competition will run at the Arena Grand Paris in Tremblay-en-France through Sunday, and that no Malaysian competitors have pulled out. The city has been rocked by large-scale protests over rising living costs and school issues, with the French Interior Ministry reporting over 110,000 participants in Paris on Saturday and a nationwide turnout of up to 800,000.

Police have made hundreds of arrests and dozens of officers were injured. While the unrest adds uncertainty, the tournament itself continues as planned, and Malaysia’s squad includes recent Denmark Open champions Pearly Tan, Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Aaron Tai, Roy King, Goh Sze Fei, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Leong Jun Hao.