Coronavirus forces ONE Championship to close door for next Singapore event
In light of the recent coronavirus outbreak, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong has decided to close the door on the promotion's next event in Singapore.
"More than ever, the world needs hope and strength right now," Sityodtong wrote on Facebook. "Let us unite as a country and let us show strength as a continent to conquer this coronavirus."
To be clear, ONE Championship is not cancelling its ONE: King of the Jungle on Feb. 28 at Singapore Indoor Stadium. The Southeast Asian fight promotion will instead close the doors to the arena, but the fights will still be contested and broadcast to its usual platforms across more than 150 countries.
Fans that have already purchased tickets to the Feb. 28 event will be fully refunded.
The current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on Dec. 31, 2019. Figures from China's National Health Commission released on Sunday showed 68,500 cases of COVID-19 and 1,665 deaths, mostly in Hubei province, where Wuhan is located, according to NPR.
TRENDING > Henry Cejudo: ‘All roads are leading to Jose Aldo’
Chatri Sityodtong's full statement on the coronavirus and ONE: King of the Jungle:
BREAKING NEWS: In light of the coronavirus situation in Singapore, I have made the decision to convert ONE: King of the Jungle on February 28 into a closed event for broadcast only. The Singapore Indoor Stadium will not be open to the general public, but the event will proceed behind closed doors as scheduled live on all TV and digital platforms across 150+ countries around the world. If you purchased tickets to attend the event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, you will receive a full refund. Catch the event live on TV from the comfort of your home on February 28!
My team and I had the option to cancel the event altogether, but we chose not to cancel it. More than ever, the world needs hope and strength right now. Our heroes are prepared to inspire you with the greatest performances of their lives on February 28. We are here to give all of our fans around the world another magical night to celebrate the best of humanity. At ONE Championship, our mission since Day 1 has been to unleash real-life superheroes who ignite the world with hope, strength, dreams, and inspiration.
Let us unite as a country and let us show strength as a continent to conquer this coronavirus. Let us celebrate what makes us special, what makes us strong, what makes us human. A ship is not made to sit in the calm waters of a harbor. It is made to conquer the rough seas in search of new horizons. With love, compassion, and resilience, we will get through these tough times together. Majulah Singapura! Jiayou China! #WeAreONE
