THE Indonesian badminton team, it is learnt, have shockingly withdrawn from the World Championships which start on Sunday in Huelva, Spain.
Although there is no official confirmation on the matter, it is understood that Indonesia's decision was due to concerns over the Covid variant, Omicron.
However, according to a source in Jakarta, it could also be budget related.
If Indonesia withdraw, the world meet will lose its sparkle with the absence of Indonesian stars: Olympic women's doubles champions, Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu, world No 1 men's doubles, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, world No 2 Muhammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan, world No 8 Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto, world No 6 mixed doubles, Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti, men's singles world No 5 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and world No 7 Jonatan Christie.
It is understood that Indonesia's decision was made following the conclusion of the three-tournament Indonesian leg of the World Tour on Sunday in Bali.
If this happens, this is not the first time that powerhouses Indonesia have pulled out of a major tournament at the eleventh hour.
Last year, Indonesia dropped a bombshell by withdrawing from the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Aarhus, Denmark due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the Thomas and Uber Cups were eventually postponed to October this year, and Indonesia took part and won the Thomas Cup for the first time in 19 years.
With Omicron spreading fears worldwide, more countries could withdraw from the World Championships.