Badminton fans will be relishing the prospect to catch the upcoming Malaysia Open (May 25-30) in flesh after the Youth and Sports Ministry said it could be possible for fans to attend the much awaited tournament.

"We have gotten the clearance from the National Security Council (NSC) in principle, and I myself have given my feedback on how events can be organised in a safe zone.

"My presentation is based on the Proof of Concept, which was the recent Malaysian Super League match between Johor Darul Ta’zim and Melaka United.

"The Health Ministry, NSC and police are satisfied with that. But the standard operating procedures must be in place," said Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

The domestic football league was the first event to allow spectators to return to venues nationwide this week, with crowds being allowed to fill up 10 percent of venue capacity or 2000.

The Malaysia Open is set to attract a world class field, including the Chinese contingent that has yet to feature in any World Tour events this year.

As it is also the penultimate event to offer Olympic qualifying points and one of the final tournaments before the Tokyo Olympics, players will be jostling to feature and make a statement.

Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of Malaysia confirmed Lee Zii Jia will play at the India Open (May 11-16) despite not listing him initially.

“Initially we wanted to rest him, but then we realised he can still fight to be eighth seed at the Olympics, so we have submitted his name. It could mean something for him,” national coaching director Wong Choong Hann told New Straits Times.

Lee and some of the national shuttlers visited the King’s palace on Tuesday to meet His Majesty Yang DiPertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri' ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah.

Swiss Open champions M.Thinaah-Pearly Tan were also present and showed their winning plaque.