"We want to clarify that first, athletes are accommodated in two hotels: Century and Fairmont hotels. Their food is supplied by the hotels, and regarding the report of food poisoning, we are currently coordinating with the hotel management to investigate what the athletes have eaten," Happy informed here on Friday.
He said that the tournament committee had asked the hotels to prepare only breakfast for the athletes, and the lunch and dinner were arranged by the athletes personally.
The food poisoning was reported by five Malaysian athletes and some other athletes who did not specify their countries, the official noted.
"The (food poisoning report) was made only by those staying at the Century Hotel. If they experience any cases, they must inform us first, but we are not receiving any news from the Malaysian team (about this case). We only came to know about their issue through social media," Happy said.
PBSI officials are yet to receive any formal complaints from the affected athletes, he said adding, it is regrettable that some athletes chose to raise the issue on social media without first informing the authority.
The badminton association has taken the affected athletes to a hospital with no links with the PBSI or the hotel management, he informed.
"To ensure that the cause (of the poisoning) is known objectively, they have been brought to Medistra Hospital. We wish athletes will remain focused on competing and refrain from any rumors while waiting for the official (health checks) results," Happy said.
Though he is yet to receive the athletes' health report, he said he has instructed hotels accommodating the athletes to segregate the athletes' dining area from the one used by regular guests as a precaution.
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Translator: Roy Bachtiar, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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