Momota cleared to come back to domestic competition

Japanese men’s singles star Kento Momota got an early decision from the Nippon Badminton Association (NBA) which should see him back into domestic competition as early as late May, according to a report on broadcaster NHK.  The NBA had said a few days ago that Momota’s indefinite suspension for gambling at illegal casinos could be lifted sometime after April 9th, but while the vote came early, his comeback is still a couple of months away.

The NHK report today said that the NBA had held a meeting where all decision-makers were in agreement that the 22-year-old should be allowed to return to domestic competition.  With the proposed date of May 15th, he will be reinstated to coincide with the deadline for entering the Japanese ranking circuit tournament in Saitama City in late May.

As for whether special concessions will be made to allow him to compete internationally, the NBA and Momota’s corporate team NTT are said to be in discussions and that decision will come later.

Badzine intends to cover the ranking circuit event on-site from Saitama.