IBF New Super Series

[Loh]

IBF's proposal to introduced a new series of tournaments some time ago will become a reality in 2007. This had been agreed in principle by the IBF Council as announced by IBF Deputy President, Punch Gunalan yesterday.

The tournaments will be divided into four levels:

1st Level: Major events which offer the highest world ranking points like the Olympic Games and World Championships.

2nd Level: The SUPER SERIES, which will be the most important to the professionals and will see big changes.

The minimum prize money will be US$200,000 but the hosting countries can attract better players will more money.

There will be 12 tournaments.

The number of participants to the main draw will be limited to 32 players to ensure better quality and performance. Four will qualify from the qualifying tournament and the host country will be given two wild cards.

Eight Asian and four European countries have been selected, but the final decision on the details will be made this September during the World Championships in Madrid, Spain. They will include the following familiar major Opens and an A-graded event, presumably to be played on a monthly basis in the following order:

1. Malaysia (To start off the SS on January 16-21.)
2. Korea
3. England (All-England)
4. Switzerland
5. Singapore (Qualification points start for Beijing Olympics 2008)
6. Indonesia,
7. China (China Masters)
8. Japan
9. Denmark
10. France (formerly A-graded only)
11. Hong Kong
12. China (again)

(A pity that Germany has missed out instead of Switzerland in terms of players' performance in the past.)

The Singapore Open in May will be the first tournament for players to gain points to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (I'm sure the world's top players, including LCW, LD and TH will not want to mss the SO once again as they did this year) :rolleyes:

3rd Level: Grand Prix Gold with prize money above US$125,000 and equivalent to the previous 4-star Open tournaments. (Just wonder whether the SS players are allowed to participate in this. But without some of them, this level seems a little boring.) :(

4th & Lowest Level: Tournaments will be organized in different continents to cater to junior players. :)

Punch Gunalan said that this restructuring was part of IBF's two-pronged goal to ensure that badminton remains as an Olympic sport and the world's best racquet sport by 2030. The old method of IBF tournament set-up of star rankings (which did not quite conform to the real ability of some players) will be dscarded.

I must say that this IBF Tournament Restructure looks promising and allows for a fairer distribution of resources and incentives. Professionals who aspire to be part of the SS must really work hard to qualify for the more attractive prize money. On the other hand, the green horns and the juniors will still have a chance to win some good money at levels three and four.

I personally hope it will succeed! :D


The Star report:

The Star Online > Sports
Tuesday July 4, 2006

One up for Malaysian Open

BY RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian badminton received a big boost when the Malaysian Open was selected to kick-start the International Badminton Federation (IBF's) new Super Series next year.

Yesterday, the IBF deputy president Datuk Punch Gunalan said that the world body have changed their tournament structure by introducing four new level of tournaments for 2007.

The first level involves major events like the Olympic Games and the World Championships, which offers the highest world ranking points.

But it is their second level of tournament - the Super Series - that will see big changes.

The Malaysian Open is one of the 12 selected under the Super Series, which offers a minimum prize money of US$200,000.

Instead of holding it in July every year, the Malaysian Open, which has been won by national men’s singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei for the last three years, has been moved to Jan 16-21.

It will be followed by the Opens in Korea, England (All-England), Switzerland, Singapore, Indonesia, China (China Masters), Japan, Denmark, France, Hong Kong and China again.

For France, who used to host A graded and one-star tournaments, their inclusion in the Super Series is certainly a huge boost to their stature.

The Singapore Open in May, will also be important as it will be the first tournament for players to gain points to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Gunalan said that the re-structuring of the calendar was part of the IBF's two-prong goal – in remaining as an Olympic sport and becoming the world's best racquet sport by the year 2030.

“We will do away with the old IBF tournament set-up of star rankings and introduce four different level of tournaments,” said Gunalan yesterday.

“The council have agreed in principle and we have finalised the details. This new structure will be implemented next year subject to the board's decision during the World Championships (in Madrid from Sept 18-24).”

According to Gunalan, the Super Series will have limited participation of players and hence better quality in term of performances.

“We have identified eight Asian and four European countries for the Super Series. The main draw will be limited to 32 players. Four will qualify from the qualifying tournament and we have agreed to give two wild cards for the hosts,” said Gunalan.

“The hosts may increase the prize money to lure the players for their tournaments.”

In the third level, IBF have introduced the Grand Prix gold. Tournaments under GP gold, rated as the four-star tournaments under the old structure, will offer prize money above US$125,000.

The fourth and the lowest level will see the distribution of tournaments organised in different continents. This fourth level will be ideal for the junior players to strut their stuff.

[hara^kazuko]

The world best racquet sport in 2030....:D I hope they did as what they said so that I'll live long enough to witness badminton stars posters outside Nike's shops other than tennis stars and football stars

[jamesd20]

Surprised that Germany Misses out in place of France, since Germany seems to be a rising force, and this will surely stunt its growth.

On the face of it a good Idea though. But the Question springs to my mind that if the minimum prize fund must be more than $200,000 what if a tournament does not raise this? IBF makes up the difference? Tournament moved elsewhere?

[Loh]

The world best racquet sport in 2030....:D I hope they did as what they said so that I'll live long enough to witness badminton stars posters outside Nike's shops other than tennis stars and football stars

My young friend, you must do it the other way round - make sure you live long enough, actually only a quarter of a century more, to enjoy the sights and your favourite badminton star pinups! You can even then bring your children to the Nike shops to view your stars and show them a thing or two.:cool:

Maybe much more diffcult for me to stay that long, though! :rolleyes: :mad:

But seriously, you must not expect miracles overnight. For a large world organization like the IBF, with so many differing views and interests, we should be happy if step-by-step, badminton is gaining ground every year.

If the IBF Council is more committed, united, purposeful and forthright, that goal may be achieved sooner than later! ;)

[Loh]

On the face of it a good Idea though. But the Question springs to my mind that if the minimum prize fund must be more than $200,000 what if a tournament does not raise this? IBF makes up the difference? Tournament moved elsewhere?

I think the fact that they have come up with the country names in advance would imply that somehow they would be able to raise the min prize money. The SS series now appears to be more prestigious and must therefore be better sought-after for aspiring countries (like unlucky Germany for example). If they are going to limit the participation numbers so as to make the time more predictable for the advertisers and sponsors, then the fund raising will not be too much of an obstacle. But I believe that the IBF would have also set aside some prize-monies for emergencies. Or else the more deserving countries who could guarantee the min prize money will take over from those who can't. ;)

[badMania]

Hmmm...this does make badminton a little bit more similar to tennis.

Tennis has its Grand Slams (4 tournaments), Masters-Series for Men's (9 tournaments) and the various International Opens (from 1st tier to 4th tier).

I thought they should make the All England as one of the 1st Level event, besides the World Championships.

I am quite excited at this plan...let's see how it will work out.

I hope to be in the Singapore Open yet again next year...but May is a little bit tough for me :cool:

[Loh]

Hmmm...this does make badminton a little bit more similar to tennis.

Tennis has its Grand Slams (4 tournaments), Masters-Series for Men's (9 tournaments) and the various International Opens (from 1st tier to 4th tier).

I thought they should make the All England as one of the 1st Level event, besides the World Championships.

I am quite excited at this plan...let's see how it will work out.

I hope to be in the Singapore Open yet again next year...but May is a little bit tough for me :cool:

Next year's SO will definitely be more exciting for Olympics points. You must make it back and enjoy with us once again.

I'm toying with the idea of visiting the HK Open this late Aug/early Sep. Do you think the world's best will be there, at least the top three for all events? Can you get lower priced tickets for QF, SF & F, such as early bird? ;)

[Chai]

The world best racquet sport in 2030....:D I hope they did as what they said so that I'll live long enough to witness badminton stars posters outside Nike's shops other than tennis stars and football stars

We all know Badminton is the world best racquet sport right now, though it is not as high profile as Tennis!

[badMania]

Next year's SO will definitely be more exciting for Olympics points. You must make it back and enjoy with us once again.

I'm toying with the idea of visiting the HK Open this late Aug/early Sep. Do you think the world's best will be there, at least the top three for all events? Can you get lower priced tickets for QF, SF & F, such as early bird? ;)

I really hope to go back to SG...but it has to depend on my schedules. If it's the end of May, should be all-right.

I am still not sure whether all the top ranked players will be there. First: the WC is so nearby (just 3 weeks away), so, some players may want to conserve their energy and prevent themselves from getting silly injuries.

I will also be away at least for the preliminary rounds and will only be back to HKG probably for the QF to Finals. Let's just wait for more announcements by the HK Badminton Associations.

[badMania]

After looking at the tentative calendars, they are going to organize it as fortnight events

January
16-21: Malaysia Open 2007
23-28: Korea Open 2007

Mar
06-11: All-England Open 2007
13-18: Swiss Open 2007

Apr
10-15: Asian Continental Championships 2007 (7* MAJOR EVENT :eek: :eek: )

May
1-6: Singapore Open 2007 (I don't think I can go then...so early:crying:)
8-13: Indonesia Open 2007
15-20: USA Open 2007 (2*)

June
03-17: Sudirman Cup Mixed Team Championships 2007 (7* MAJOR EVENT) -- Glasgow

July
03-08: Thailand Open 2007 (3*)
24-29: Philippine Open 2007 (4*, GOLD)

Aug
07-19: World Championships 2007 (7* MAJOR EVENT), 2-weeks event...like the Grand Slams of Tennis) -- Kuala Lumpur

Sep
04-09: Japan Open 2007
11-16: Chinese Taipei Open 2007 (2*, GOLD)
18-23: New Zealand Open 2007 (3*)

Oct
16-21: Dutch Open 2007 (2*)
23-28: Denmark Open 2007

Nov
01-05: French Open 2007
20-25: China Open 2007
27-02: Hong Kong Open 2007

Dec
06-16: SEA GAMES 2007 (looks like no top players will be going to the SEA GAMES unless the national association forced them to participate)
18-23: FINAL 2007 (similar to the year-end annual Championships of Tennis)

[Player13]

Q: newb question here... In the old star system, are the players' rankings affected differently when playing differently rated tournaments?

It would seem odd to me that the star ranking system is based on the prize money of the tournie, but that it would in turn affect how many points are added to a player's rank... who would want to waste time with lower star tournies when all the loot and ranking points are with the bigger tournies?

[jug8man]

An interesting concept.

Unless I have understood wrongly, the consequences of these changes are :-

1) High Ranked Players protected from early emergence of strong young players as only highly ranked players can compete in the limited spaces of the Super Series which give bigger ranking points.
--> This does extend some players 'shelf life' which is a good thing for badminton / career aspect.

2) the 'divisions' might put 'off' top players from competing in the gold series,.... giving spaces for others to make their names with titles to show for (and money). but the opposite could still happen if the high rank view these tourney's as 'easy money'.

3) This system really gives more meaning to Ranking Points.... something that would not benefit a player like taufik.

4) New Generation really needs to fight to make it into Super Series. Some might be content to stay in the Gold Series if they have a comparative advantage........

5) how much does the 4th level offer in terms of $$$ and how often???? this is a big deciding factor on future growth....... unless we just skip this and go straight to Gold Series.
-Will nations bother sending players for these meets?
-Will it only be for Jrs, as in U19 or U21?
-If it is U19, will it just make the World Jr Champs Redundant???
-Are points gained from U19 category tournaments transferable to open categories?

6) Here's a big question ---> where does events like Europe Champs / Asian Champs / Thomas & Uber Cup / Sudirman Cup stand in all these???
Will they become a thing of the past?

Did I miss anything?

[badMania]

6) Here's a big question ---> where does events like Europe Champs / Asian Champs / Thomas & Uber Cup / Sudirman Cup stand in all these??? Will they become a thing of the past?

Did I miss anything?

NO!! In fact, these will be the MAJOR EVENTS (7*). I was quite surprised to see that the Asian Continental Championships is given the top billings next year. This will invite the top Asian players to compete for the title since it offers the same ranking points and prestige as the World Championships.

Both the Sudirman Cup and the World Championships are now 2-week events.

[jug8man]

NO!! In fact, these will be the MAJOR EVENTS (7*). I was quite surprised to see that the Asian Continental Championships is given the top billings next year. This will invite the top Asian players to compete for the title since it offers the same ranking points and prestige as the World Championships.

Both the Sudirman Cup and the World Championships are now 2-week events.

Thanks

Okay, I missed that...

I don't see European Champs & other continental Champs on the list......... This doesn't seem fair or right...... Anybody with info???

Cheers

[badMania]

Further ramblings....

I think the All-England deserves to be given the Major Event status. In this way, we will have at least 3 major events annually: the Continental (both European and Asian) and World Championships, and All-England. I also hope that these would be the Grand-Slams of Badminton, with huge publicity and probably the highest prize-money (USD 500,000). It will also be preferable to have a 12-14 days event so that the competition days are spread out nicely. The draw size can be either 128 for singles and 64 for doubles (like the Tennis Grand Slams) or 64 for all events.

The other 10-11 Super Series will complement nicely in terms of a 6* rating and higher prize moneys. A draw size of 32 (with a day of qualifying) will also be just right for a 6-days event.

As for the Gold Grand-Prix, it would be nice to have at least 5-6 of them spread out throughout the entire year, in between the Major Events and Super Series. The ones already planned for next year are Philippines and Chinese Taipei Opens.

The last would be the numerous European Internationals and Asian Satellite tournaments (A-rated events which have been pretty successful in the past 2-3 years in attracting new upcoming players) and the 2-3* Opens (already in the calendar are Thailand, New Zealand, US, and Holland Opens)

[badMania]

Thanks

Okay, I missed that...

I don't see European Champs & other continental Champs on the list......... This doesn't seem fair or right...... Anybody with info???

Cheers

The European Championship is a bi-annual event, so, the next one will probably be in 2008. As for the other continental champs, they are probably not as important as Asian and European.

[EastDevil]

The world best racquet sport in 2030....:D I hope they did as what they said so that I'll live long enough to witness badminton stars posters outside Nike's shops other than tennis stars and football stars

I hate these kinds of year timelines... They always represent targets that never get achieved. If they want to set targets, it should be ASAP.

[EastDevil]

Further ramblings....

I think the All-England deserves to be given the Major Event status. In this way, we will have at least 3 major events annually: the Continental (both European and Asian) and World Championships, and All-England. I also hope that these would be the Grand-Slams of Badminton, with huge publicity and probably the highest prize-money (USD 500,000). It will also be preferable to have a 12-14 days event so that the competition days are spread out nicely. The draw size can be either 128 for singles and 64 for doubles (like the Tennis Grand Slams) or 64 for all events.

The other 10-11 Super Series will complement nicely in terms of a 6* rating and higher prize moneys. A draw size of 32 (with a day of qualifying) will also be just right for a 6-days event.

As for the Gold Grand-Prix, it would be nice to have at least 5-6 of them spread out throughout the entire year, in between the Major Events and Super Series. The ones already planned for next year are Philippines and Chinese Taipei Opens.

The last would be the numerous European Internationals and Asian Satellite tournaments (A-rated events which have been pretty successful in the past 2-3 years in attracting new upcoming players) and the 2-3* Opens (already in the calendar are Thailand, New Zealand, US, and Holland Opens)

I think the problem is that there's not enough sponsors for All-England to make it that rich.

But I believe there will be adjustments for the first few years because no wonderful war plans survive the first day of war. :D

[hcyong]

Actually, a lot of details are still unknown. For one, I do not believe that the Asian Continental Championships is worth 7*. Maybe it's a typo. Some of us may be speculating. Let's wait till we get more details.

I think All-England should not be in the same level as World Championships and Olympics. All-England is special on its own because of its history. Whether it is 4* or 5*, most players and fans still treat it specially.

I am also quite worried about the prize-money sustainability. The only way it will be smooth is if there is one sponsor (or a group of sponsors) for the whole Super Series.

[cxytdn]

I don't think the IBF's ideal above is good. And I think it should be as follows:

1st Level - MAJOR EVENTS:
World Championships (on prize, held in odd year)
Olympics/World Cup (on prize, held in even year, Olympics should be regarded as "World Cup" that year)
World Finals (on prize, held every year)
8* Tournament which should offer US$500,000 at least

2nd Level - The SUPER SERIES:
7* Tournament which should offer US$300,000 at least
6* Tournament which should offer US$230,000 at least (instead of US$250,000 )
5* Tournament which should offer US$170,000 at least

3rd Level - GRAND PRIX GOLD:
4* Tournament which should offer US$120,000 at least
3* Tournament which should offer US$80,000 at least
2* Tournament which should offer US$50,000 at least

4th Level
1* Tournament which should offer US$30,000 at least
A ClassTournament which should offer US$20,000 at least
B Class Tournament which should offer US$10,000 at least

Any tournament, except the "IBF events", should be decided its "LEVEL" ONLY on the prize which be offered. And the points which players got in a certain tournament should be proportioned to prize which this tournament offers.

[Loh]

Just wonder how much in dollar terms will all these translate into for the winners of the Super Series? Will it work out to at least USD 20K for the champion? They don't give out prize money for the World Championships, Olympics, Sudirman Cup, TC and UC, etc, in the past. Will this change?

And how will even the increased individual prize monies compare with tennis?

[hcyong]

Just wonder how much in dollar terms will all these translate into for the winners of the Super Series? Will it work out to at least USD 20K for the champion? They don't give out prize money for the World Championships, Olympics, Sudirman Cup, TC and UC, etc, in the past. Will this change?

And how will even the increased individual prize monies compare with tennis?

They still won't give prize money for those tournaments. It's all about pride.

Don't even start to compare with tennis just yet.

[badMania]

Just wonder how much in dollar terms will all these translate into for the winners of the Super Series? Will it work out to at least USD 20K for the champion? They don't give out prize money for the World Championships, Olympics, Sudirman Cup, TC and UC, etc, in the past. Will this change?

And how will even the increased individual prize monies compare with tennis?

You can't compare them to tennis. The lowest tier for Tennis has prize money of more than USD300k. The men's singles winner of Wimbledon alone can take home Pound 655k. Losers in the first round can also pocket Pound 9,830, a sum that is equivalent to the winner of a 4* event in badminton.

[ants]

Badminton need good Marketing.

[event]

Q: newb question here... In the old star system, are the players' rankings affected differently when playing differently rated tournaments??Yes.
who would want to waste time with lower star tournies when all the loot and ranking points are with the bigger tournies?Lots of players when the tournament in question is one with history and prestige like the All England. It has perennially been a top draw despite being 2nd or 3rd tier in terms of prize money and thus ranking points. Inversely, many tournaments have bumped up their prize money in recent years, presumably in hopes of attracting a stronger field with money and ranking points. In spite of such efforts in places like Korea and the Philippines, many top players have stayed away. As for your average low prize money/low ranking points tournaments, some top players go to them because it's easier to pick up a win there. Lee/Lee, though world #1 at the time, tried to do that at the otherwise poorly attended 3* Chinese Taipei Open last year (but got beaten in the first round ). Especially for the women, this is the only type of tournament they can go and be sure they won't draw Zhang Ning or Xie Xingfang in the first three rounds for an early, pointless exit.

My question is how they will suddenly persuade the European countries to ante up with the prize money when none of them have offered close to US$200,000 yet. The All England, for one, has been content to rely on its prestige. All the Asian tournaments on the list, are all already either 5* or 6*, offering over US$200,000. Let's hope the European countries see something extra in terms of incentive with this new IBF initiative. If they haven't finalized the list, what is their reason for putting France and Switzerland on the list but not Germany or the Netherlands? The latter two must have already turned them down and France must have made some positive noises. The IBF wouldn't just tip France for a Grade A-to-Super Series upgrade because they hoped France might go along with it.

[chibe_K]

BTW, Mal hosting from 16-21 Jan might be a bad timing due to Lunar New Year, which comes around mid to end of January. I am sure this will impact players from China, Mal, and ... INA as well.

[badMania]

BTW, Mal hosting from 16-21 Jan might be a bad timing due to Lunar New Year, which comes around mid to end of January. I am sure this will impact players from China, Mal, and ... INA as well.

NO! The Chinese New Year for 2007 will be on Feb.

[wun.sun]

This is wishful thinking, but don't you think that putting one super series tourny in North America would be good. I mean, this is the main area that badminton cannot get a grip on, and where the main money is. Shouldn't IBF allow North America to host one of them, as a tryout to see how it goes. I mean WC in Anaheim, seemed to be successful, and it gave a chance for Americans to watch some high class badminton. Anyways, I thought putting a internatioal tourny in North America would do the sport good.

This is also partly selfish :) As I live in Canada, I really wanna see a international tourny that isn't too far away from where I live. :)

wun.sun

[event]

Shouldn't IBF allow North America to host one of them, as a tryout to see how it goes.Sure, but I really doubt that it is an issue of "allowing" anyone. Look again at the prize money being offered by the "chosen" countries in 2006(shortfall to be made up in 2007 to qualify as Super Series event in parentheses):

1. Malaysia 120,000 (-180,000)
2. Korea 300,000 (0)
3. England (All-England) 125,000 (-175,000)
4. Switzerland 120,000 (-180,000)
5. Singapore 170,000 (-130,000)
6. Indonesia 250,000 (-50,000)
7. China (Masters) 250,000 (-50,000)
8. Japan 180,000 (-120,000)
9. Denmark 170,000 (-130,000)
10. France ? (300,000?)*
11. Hong Kong 250,000 (-50,000)
12. China (Open) 250,000 (-50,000)

The special cases are Korea, which is the only event already offering Super Series-level prize money, and France, which is a grade A event that is supposedly somehow going to offer $300,000 next year. The other 11 events are by and large the biggest-money events on the 2006 circuit. A few here are leapfrogging events that currently offer more money. I would speculate that that means that only these twelve events' organizers were enticed by some promise of prestige by the IBF while Chinese Taipei - which would actually be in a 3-way tie for the #7 spot on the list of top purses - and Macau and the Philippines, which would be in a 4-way tie for the #10 spot - presumably didn't take the prestige bait.

I find it a lot easier to believe that these countries, including France, said "yeah, shouldn't be a problem" in reply to an IBF query about whether they would endeavour to come up with $300,000 in return for a spot in a coveted Super Series than that the IBF just made a guess at who might be willing and "chose" these events unilaterally. Inversely, I do not believe that the U.S. and Canada made the same response about offering $300,000 and were nonetheless denied a spot in the series by an IBF stubbornly uninterested in promoting the sport in North America.

[Loh]

Just a reminder that the Super Series will have a minimum prize money of US$200,000 (not US$300,000), although the host country could put it higher.

If we take the Singapore Open, which is currently 5-star with a price tag of US$170,000, the top-up will be only US$30,000. Aviva, the main sponsor, as I recall, has actually intended to elevate the SO to 6-star next year, so there will not be much of a difference.

[Syaoran_Style]

The French Open is going to offer US$ 200,000 not US$300,000 lool
Maybe in few years .. ^^

[event]

Just a reminder that the Super Series will have a minimum prize money of US$200,000 (not US$300,000), although the host country could put it higher.

If we take the Singapore Open, which is currently 5-star with a price tag of US$170,000, the top-up will be only US$30,000. Aviva, the main sponsor, as I recall, has actually intended to elevate the SO to 6-star next year, so there will not be much of a difference.Ah, my mistake. That makes things much more realistic. Apart from the French Open, event organizers will only need to coax a maximum US$70,000 more(for the Swiss and Malaysian Opens) from their respective sponsors and five of the events are already offering enough money for the Super Series. None of this undermines my argument. The U.S. Open has never offered anywhere near this amount and the Canadian Open is going down in prize money. The IBF is not going to offer the prestige of a Super Series tournament with the attendant ranking points to tournaments that don't fork over the prize money. They obviously don't have the budget to supplement it, either, so the responsibility rests with the badminton markets and associations in North America. If they can drum up the sponsors, no doubt the IBF will give them the stars. The only exception the IBF can make is with the World Championships - where the prestige means that it will draw the big names without the big prize money - and they've held that in both Canada and the U.S. The latter was a marketing flop. Not a single North American TV network covered it live and badminton fans had to go scrounging to find relevant articles in local newspapers.

[Eurasian =--(O)]

This is going to widen the gap between the badminton haves and the badminton have nots.

[kwun]

The number of participants to the main draw will be limited to 32 players to ensure better quality and performance. Four will qualify from the qualifying tournament and the host country will be given two wild cards.

i think everything else looks good except for this one rule.

the IBF calendar is dominated by these SS tournaments. for the lower ranking players, it will be almost impossible to get into these tournament. eventually, what may happen is that the top level players will continue grabbing easy points from the high ranking 6*, while the younger generation will fight for the lives and only get very little points from the lower star tournaments.

furthermore, as emerging players will rarely be allowed in these events. they will have less opportunity to play against the best players to gain experience.

this will unfortunately unfortunately create a very high wall between emerging and top level players. definitely not a good thing to happen and something that we do not want to see.

[Cheung]

.............. The only exception the IBF can make is with the World Championships - where the prestige means that it will draw the big names without the big prize money - and they've held that in both Canada and the U.S. The latter was a marketing flop. Not a single North American TV network covered it live and badminton fans had to go scrounging to find relevant articles in local newspapers. Interesting point. That means despite an American winning the world championship, there was very little response. IBF needs to decide wether it's worth putting the effort into the US market - obviously very tough. Or commit those resources to other emerging areas first e.g. Phillipines, France for example

[kwun]

Ah, my mistake. That makes things much more realistic. Apart from the French Open, event organizers will only need to coax a maximum US$70,000 more(for the Swiss and Malaysian Opens) from their respective sponsors and five of the events are already offering enough money for the Super Series. None of this undermines my argument.

i am not following the math here.

the SS tournaments were stated to have a $200,000 prize money, but you said here the organizer only need to supply $70,000, where do the remaining $130,000 come from?


The U.S. Open has never offered anywhere near this amount and the Canadian Open is going down in prize money. The IBF is not going to offer the prestige of a Super Series tournament with the attendant ranking points to tournaments that don't fork over the prize money.


as a correction. the US Open was once a 5* tournament around 10 years ago. the sponsor pulled out after the Asian financial crisis. but yes, i doubt we will see those days come back for many years to come.

[event]

Interesting point. That means despite an American winning the world championship, there was very little response. IBF needs to decide wether it's worth putting the effort into the US market - obviously very tough. Or commit those resources to other emerging areas first e.g. Phillipines, France for exampleThere are, no doubt, some observations that can be made about the effect (or lack thereof) of having an American winner in the Anaheim worlds but the TV coverage is not one such. The TV coverage decisions were obviously made long before the tournament and hence long before Tony and Howard started winning. The print media is a different story. A paucity of articles there would indicate a lacklustre response to the win. As far as TV is concerned, the hopes for a North American marketing success were doomed before the first shuttles left the tube.
i am not following the math here.

the SS tournaments were stated to have a $200,000 prize money, but you said here the organizer only need to supply $70,000, where do the remaining $130,000 come from?I did say "coax $70,000 more". I meant that some tournaments seem to have the same sponsors each year and so it doesn't seem impossible for them to get $130,000 again next year. However, if they want to meet Super Series criteria, they have to get the same kind of commitment as they succeeded in getting from the sponsors for 2006($130,000) and then they need another $70,000 from somewhere.

Actually, I just realized I wasn't even using the correct data. Malaysia and Switzerland actually put up $120,000(not $130,000) this year and so would need to top up that prize money by another $80,000(not $70,000) next year.
the US Open was once a 5* tournament around 10 years agoThanks for the correction. I should think twice before jumping to conclusions based on examination of only limited historical data.

[ctjcad]

as a correction. the US Open was once a 5* tournament around 10 years ago. the sponsor pulled out after the Asian financial crisis. but yes, i doubt we will see those days come back for many years to come.
if anyone is interested.....here's a link to a post regarding the U.S. Open history:
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36329 (post #6) ;)

[Jessica]

What is the next tournament after the WC???

[cooler]

Saturday September 23, 10:26 PM

Badminton-IBF announce introduction of new Super Series

MADRID, Sept 23 (Reuters) - The International Badminton Federation (IBF) unveiled a new 12-tournament Super Series for 2007 that will also feature an end-of-season Masters event with prize money of $500,000.
"We want to boost badminton's profile and highlight what we have got," Paisan Rangsikitpho, the chair of the IBF Events Committee, told a news conference.

"Television will play an important role in the new series and events have guaranteed live coverage of the semi-finals and finals. We want billions of viewers."

The IBF has cherry-picked 12 high-profile tournaments on the existing circuit to make up the Super Series, four in Europe and eight in Asia.

In Europe, the All-England, Swiss, Danish and French Opens have been chosen, while in Asia, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and China will hold the remainder of the events.

Rangsikitpho said that the United States, Taiwan, Germany and India had made unsuccessful applications to hold Super Series events, but had been put on a reserve list.

Badminton powerhouse China will be the only country to hold two events, but the venue of the end-of-season Masters trophy has not yet been decided.

The main draws will be 32 rather than 64-strong, with the top 28 players or pairs in the world being joined by four qualifiers.

The IBF also said they were looking into the introduction of television replays for the Super Series following calls from leading players for the use of such technology to resolve disputes over line calls.
"We are in the research phase at the moment," said Rangsikitpho.

"It's a costly operation and we will be looking at how other sports like tennis use the technology. It might be possible to introduce it to make it fair for all players."

[ctjcad]

thanks, cooler, for posting this for us...rest of post snipped for brevity..


"Television will play an important role in the new series and events have guaranteed live coverage of the semi-finals and finals. We want billions of viewers."
cooler, i believe there's also another article at the IBF website which mentions something abt IBF and another media production co. signing a contract together. Mind posting that one as well.;)
On the replay issue usage next yr, it's quite interesting they mentioned IBF is trying to look into incorporating that feature....perhaps a Taufik effect??..:rolleyes: :p ;)

[seawell]

Yonex All England Open in new Super Series

The Yonex All England Open Championships in March was today confirmed as one of the 12 tournaments in the new IBF Super Series, which starts in January.

The other tournaments are: the Swiss, Denmark and French Opens in Europe, and in Asia the Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan Opens and two China tournaments.

The top players at the end of the circuit will qualify for the finals in December 2007 with a venue to be announced in six months. The prize fund for the finals will be $500,000.

Paisan Rangsikitpho, chairman of the IBF Events Committee, said that the Series would run in a three-year cycle and then be reviewed. "The tournaments will be constantly evaluated and if they don't keep up to par a tournament on the reserve list could step up."

Germany, Taipei, India and USA missed out in this inaugural series.

Rangsikitpho said that the palm technology being used by umpires to score matches at the world championships this week would be used in the Super Series.

He also said that the IBF would listen to players' concerns over officiating and would investigate the possibility of introducing 'Hawkey' TV replays for disputed line calls.

It was a requirement of the Super Series that the at least the semi-finals and finals of tournaments must be televised.

"TV is so important to us if we are to take this game to a worldwide audience," he added.

The tournaments in the Series will have a 32-strong draw in each event as well as a qualifying draw of a 32 maximum.

[Eurasian =--(O)]

So in a tournament with 200 000 prize money the MS winner gets what
25 000? So in a tournamnet with 500 000 prize money the MS winner gets
62 500? Thats a significant increase.

[Loh]

i think everything else looks good except for this one rule.

the IBF calendar is dominated by these SS tournaments. for the lower ranking players, it will be almost impossible to get into these tournament. eventually, what may happen is that the top level players will continue grabbing easy points from the high ranking 6*, while the younger generation will fight for the lives and only get very little points from the lower star tournaments.

furthermore, as emerging players will rarely be allowed in these events. they will have less opportunity to play against the best players to gain experience.

this will unfortunately unfortunately create a very high wall between emerging and top level players. definitely not a good thing to happen and something that we do not want to see.

Yes, I think this is no good for the up-and-coming young talents as only the top-ranked 28 players who applied will be selected to play, it would appear.

Those in contention (already qualified) will fight hard to remain in the top 28 to ensure that they would qualify for the next SS event. Only they will be able to score more ranking points in a big way.

The problem is that if you are lower in rank, say below 30, how do you get a chance to play in the SS? Will it always be that you have to wait until a higher-ranked player is unable to participate (because of injury, etc) for you to fill the vacancy? Other than playing in the Satellites or other IBF sanctioned events that can earn you lower ranking points, what other fairer system is available for you to enter the SS series? It will take a long time to accumulate the points and you will have to participate in many of them. Will the local badminton bodies be able to support their upstarts consistently and regularly? Some of them are not even sending their better players overseas for various reasons.

The SS discriminates against low-ranked players, yet it seems there are not enough opportunities for such players to improve their ranking and get a chance to have a shot at the SS.

Will we be seeing the same set of players for the SS? Will this not be boring and how will this promote badminton? Will lower-ranked players not be more disheartened? :(

[hcyong]

Yes, I think this is no good for the up-and-coming young talents as only the top-ranked 28 players who applied will be selected to play, it would appear.

Those in contention (already qualified) will fight hard to remain in the top 28 to ensure that they would qualify for the next SS event. Only they will be able to score more ranking points in a big way.

The problem is that if you are lower in rank, say below 30, how do you get a chance to play in the SS? Will it always be that you have to wait until a higher-ranked player is unable to participate (because of injury, etc) for you to fill the vacancy? Other than playing in the Satellites or other IBF sanctioned events that can earn you lower ranking points, what other fairer system is available for you to enter the SS series? It will take a long time to accumulate the points and you will have to participate in many of them. Will the local badminton bodies be able to support their upstarts consistently and regularly? Some of them are not even sending their better players overseas for various reasons.

The SS discriminates against low-ranked players, yet it seems there are not enough opportunities for such players to improve their ranking and get a chance to have a shot at the SS.

Will we be seeing the same set of players for the SS? Will this not be boring and how will this promote badminton? Will lower-ranked players not be more disheartened? :(

You have to remember that at the moment, usually only the MS is 64-draw (usually with lots of byes). The rest are 32-draw anyway, so no difference there.

Secondly, it's relative. You may say 32-draw discriminates against lower-ranked players (those ranked lower than 30), but you can also say 64-draw discriminates against those ranked lower than 60. Obviously, it's inefficient to have a draw which is too large. So, we have to find the balance.

Personally, I think any player in the top 40 will have a bright chance of direct entry into the main draw. Plus, I think any top 100 players should be able to enter the qualifying round (also a maximum 32-draw). I will expect that an average SS event will attract at most only around 50-60% of the top players. Look at the Korean Open, the most lucrative but yet attendance was poor.

Also, the four wild cards can be used for good effect. Depending on the host, they may be magnaminous enough to award it to a deserving foreigner. Or IBF may tweak the rule a bit and reserve 2 wild cards for itself and just 2 for the host. Players can apply for wild cards, and it's up to IBF (and/or the host) to select the deserving ones.

[Loh]

You have to remember that at the moment, usually only the MS is 64-draw (usually with lots of byes). The rest are 32-draw anyway, so no difference there.

Secondly, it's relative. You may say 32-draw discriminates against lower-ranked players (those ranked lower than 30), but you can also say 64-draw discriminates against those ranked lower than 60. Obviously, it's inefficient to have a draw which is too large. So, we have to find the balance.

Personally, I think any player in the top 40 will have a bright chance of direct entry into the main draw. Plus, I think any top 100 players should be able to enter the qualifying round (also a maximum 32-draw). I will expect that an average SS event will attract at most only around 50-60% of the top players. Look at the Korean Open, the most lucrative but yet attendance was poor.

Also, the four wild cards can be used for good effect. Depending on the host, they may be magnaminous enough to award it to a deserving foreigner. Or IBF may tweak the rule a bit and reserve 2 wild cards for itself and just 2 for the host. Players can apply for wild cards, and it's up to IBF (and/or the host) to select the deserving ones.

I certainly hope you are right when the SS begins next year. :)

Apart from national domestic commitments and possible injuries to players, etc, 'unfriendly' international SS schedules, geographical distance (as it is more expensive if the event is held faraway), depending on the financial resources of the national association, it is true that it is not possible to send one's high ranking players to all events. This will then allow lower ranked players to participate.

However, the professional players should now be more attracted to the much higher payout or prize monies. And if the SS schedules are quite evenly distributed over the year, then more of the high ranking players can participate in more SS events. If this is the case, then less of the lower-ranked players can be given a chance. The wild cards, as I noted, will favour the host country. This is the fear. :(

[event]

What is all this talk of wild cards? These passages...

The main draws will be 32 rather than 64-strong, with the top 28 players or pairs in the world being joined by four qualifiers.
The tournaments in the Series will have a 32-strong draw in each event as well as a qualifying draw of a 32 maximum....seem to suggest that there will be no wild cards. If you have a draw of 32 and 28 are the top 28 players or pairs in the world and 32 others are vying for 4 qualifying spots, then where do the wild cards come in?

What I'm wondering is what will happen when the top players give a Super Series tournament a miss. Will they just plug into the main draw the top 28 players who apply? Will there be some kind of a deadline by which the world's top 28 will have to declare their intention to compete? If so, it would make a difference to those with rankings in the 30s. If they knew in advance that Zhang Jun or Lin Dan or Zhang Ning planned to skip the Korea Open again, they might be persuaded to come to Seoul. Otherwise, they likely wouldn't bother flying to Seoul just to end up in qualifying rounds. They would just sign up for the Macau Open and get both better treatment and a better chance at points.

The swarms of local players will still be there. More will likely be in qualifying rounds but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. At the Korea Open this year, there were 6 Koreans in the main draw in men's singles and an additional 7 among the 18 players in qualifying rounds. If the main draw had been 32 instead of 64, likely only 3 Koreans would have been in the main draw and there might have been less space for the younger players in the qualifiers as the 18 qualifiers made for a total of 74 players this year as opposed to a maximum of 60 in January.

I wonder whether this exclusivity plan will work this year. Technically, there isn't much difference for the top players. They still have the tradeoff of going to the big tournaments and losing early but getting big points for QF finishes or going to smaller tournaments and being more certain of the win. You won't see as many North Americans and Europeans showing up to pick up points by losing in the first round of 6* tournaments because they won't be allowed to. Some players who were picky about tournaments in the past might be persuaded by the use-it-or-lose-it system whereby they might give up their right to go to the big tournaments. Let's face it, though. No matter how few tournaments Taufik plays, when is the last time you saw him drop below #28. It happens, I know, but so rarely that I really don't think he'll be biting his nails if he finds himself on a beach in January during Malaysia or Korea. Even if he slips to #33, I still think it's very likely that you'll have at least 4 or 5 top players skipping each SS event.

One small difference might be that there are simply more tournaments that are the equivalent of a 6*. This year there were only 4 and there were 5 in 2005. As most top players are playing about 10 or 12 tournaments a year, including three to seven star, there may simply be more points to go around unless the SS events really do attract all the top players every time. The ones with the real incentive will be the ones in the bottom half of the top 28. They are the players who aren't assured of points even if they enter a 3* or 4* tournament and they might find it difficult to stay in contention for Super Series events or to get back into the top 28 if they slip and can't use the SS for points.

[Baderz_Jas]

this new Super Series sounds very cool! :D :cool: :D It gives top players more ranking points choices :) $200,000 each tournamentv:eek: that's alot of money and it's just minimum :D hehe :) good luck to this Super Series :) lol :)

[ctjcad]

this new Super Series sounds very cool! :D :cool: :D It gives top players more ranking points choices :) $200,000 each tournamentv:eek: that's alot of money and it's just minimum :D hehe :) good luck to this Super Series :) lol :)
..i'll second that..i think what i highlighted above is what they'll(the players) really need..:rolleyes: :p:( ;)

[Baderz_Jas]

..i'll second that..i think what i highlighted above is what they'll(the players) really need..:rolleyes: :p:( ;)

just like tennis :D hehe :D

[ctjcad]

just like tennis :D hehe :D
..hmm, in what way is it similar to tennis??...Tennis has 4 majors in a yr, and they're all spread-out...But as i mentioned earlier in another thread, all i can see, next yr's SS will be quite "demanding":12 pre-selected tourneys ending with 1 Grand Prix Finals, 13 totals(literally 1 tourney per month for those top 32 players)..:rolleyes: :p ;)

[event]

next yr's SS will be quite "demanding":12 pre-selected tourneys ending with 1 Grand Prix Finals, 13 totals(literally 1 tourney per month for those top 32 players)..15 including the World Championships and the Thomas Cup, which the top 32 players will be even more intent on playing. You're right. That is a lot. There would have to be a strong reason for any of those top 28 to play a Gold Series tournament: something like hometown fans or the hopes of picking up an easy 3000 points. I wonder if you'll still see the best of China descend on Macau and not Korea. In other words, was that a move calculated by the sponsors? 2006 might have been exceptional because of the schedule. The 2007 schedule is, at least, much better organized. This year, Korea and Hong Kong made a single trip to Asia possible but they were too close to the WC. China and Japan made for the same type of trip but they were too soon after the WC and arguably too close to the Asian Games. At any rate, 2007 looks better.

[Krisna]

I also like this new Super Series program that BWF arranged. With only the top 32 playing, the quality of the qualification rounds are better. I hope badminton will be even more popular...

I love both tennis and badminton, played them both but prefer badminton as a spectator sport. [I am, after all, an Indonesian] But I am concerned about the development of badminton worldwide. Not enough media coverage and attention! What badminton needs is a Superstar like a Tiger Woods for golf or Michael Jordan of basketball... Someone with such a charisma that even non-players of the sport start to pay attention...

Taufik Hidayat is the closest example of an athelete with a star-like quality these days. And that applies mainly to Indonesians. We need a worldwide star! So far, Lin Dan have not been that star... Great player, yes... but not a star yet... If he dates Zhang Ziyi or any famous Chinese starlet who is also famous abroad, that would help...

I think "Lin Dan dating Zhang Ziyi" will get more sensational publication about a badminton player rather than "Lin Dan winning 5 Super Series titles in 2007", ha ha ha...

[Baderz_Jas]

..hmm, in what way is it similar to tennis??...Tennis has 4 majors in a yr, and they're all spread-out...But as i mentioned earlier in another thread, all i can see, next yr's SS will be quite "demanding":12 pre-selected tourneys ending with 1 Grand Prix Finals, 13 totals(literally 1 tourney per month for those top 32 players)..:rolleyes: :p ;)

I didn't know about the tennis bit :rolleyes: :p it is quite alot, but they won't play all of them, will them :eek: :rolleyes: :D

[Loh]

[QUOTE=Krisna] Not enough media coverage and attention! What badminton needs is a Superstar like a Tiger Woods for golf or Michael Jordan of basketball... Someone with such a charisma that even non-players of the sport start to pay attention...
QUOTE]

Precisely what BWF is tyring hard to get TV coverage for world badminton but with limited success as the high income countries, principally the US and Canada, are not showing much interest. As mentioned previously, even the World Championship held in Anaheim last year was given only scant publicity by the printed media, not TV!

Compare this with the marketing efforts and the millions pumped into golf and basketball and of course, soccer, TV cover of which are beamed regularly throughout the world. Not only Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan attain star status and known the world over, but the ordinary man in the street playing these games somehow relate well to the masses.

So the target of 2030 to make badminton the best racket sport in the world (indirectly surpassing even tennis) seems an unambitious task but yet quite realistic as badminton still has a long way to go to make international heroes out of star players like Lin Dan or Taufik.

[badMania]

So far, Lin Dan have not been that star... Great player, yes... but not a star yet... If he dates Zhang Ziyi or any famous Chinese starlet who is also famous abroad, that would help...

I think "Lin Dan dating Zhang Ziyi" will get more sensational publication about a badminton player rather than "Lin Dan winning 5 Super Series titles in 2007", ha ha ha...

That's a good one :D Unfortunately, I think Zhang Ziyi is "rumoured" to be already dating someone :cool:

[Krisna]

That's a good one :D Unfortunately, I think Zhang Ziyi is "rumoured" to be already dating someone :cool:

Oooo.... :crying: I am sad to hear she already has a boyfriend. If Lin Dan won't date Zhang Ziyi, I wanted to volunteer myself as her next suitor... :cool:

[ctjcad]

..don't know if you guys want to do this or not, but is it possible if you guys can add somekind of the wording "Super Series" event next to the list of the 2007 tournaments above. Just so we know/can differentiate which tournament(s) belongs to the SS.
1st post, by Loh, in this thread, should give the list of those SS events.;) :cool:

[Ethan]

One question, how different the rankings will be this time. I've read that the rankings will change but no explaination on how it differs.

[cooler]

Thursday December 14, 1:41 PM

Badminton-New Super Series to raise prize money, profile
Kuala Lumpur, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Badminton's most prestigious event, the All England Championship, will be part of a new cash-driven 12-tournament Super Series tour aimed at raising the sport's global appeal.
Governing body Badminton World Federation (BWF), formerly known as the International Badminton Federation, said on Thursday that the inaugural series in 2007 will offer minimum prize money of US$200,000 for each tournament.

"There will be more prize money, more television coverage and the opportunity for players to make a proper living out of the sport, just like tennis," BWF deputy president Punch Gunalan told Reuters.

"The important thing is to make badminton one of the leading racquet sports in the world."

The Super Series, running from January to December, will feature tournaments in England, China, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland.

China will stage two tournaments while a season-ending BWF Super Series Masters for the top eight in men's and women's singles and doubles will be played at a venue yet to be announced. ADVERTISEMENT



Badminton is hoping to make the most of recent rule changes that now sees 21-point rally sets, in which points can be scored no matter who is serving. Previously a point could only be scored by a serving player.

STEP FORWARD

Canadian top-50 player Bobby Milroy said the series is a major step forward for the sport.

"This is what we were waiting for the past 10 years," he said. "We knew it was the only way this sport could take off.

"Tennis has been doing this for 20 years. We are really excited about this. The new points system is great. Players were skeptical at first but now we can't imagine going back to the old system."

Paisan Rangsikitpho, BWF's chairman of events, said he hopes the series will encourage more players from Europe, the Americas and Africa to challenge what has traditionally been an Asian-dominated sport.

"With more prize money, it would mean that players can make a living out of the sport, therefore, it may encourage more players from the US and Europe to play badminton," said Paisan.

While minimum prize money is US$200,000, individual tournaments are allowed to offer purses above this amount.

BWF has also appointed Stockhold-based IEC in Sports to handle global television marketing and distribution.

"Badminton needs more stars. We expect players and federations to be more professional and change their mindsets," said Gunalan. "We need a Tiger Woods or Andre Agassi. That's the direction we want to go in."

[ants]

Or Yao Ming or Lindan.. :) We already have LinDan....

[kokcheng]

Taufik being flamboyant is definitely a HUGE STAR in the Badminton World.KKK and TBH will have hordes of teens following them.Lee Yong Dae,Chen JIn,SAnia and all the young upstarts will provide the impetus to propel the popularity of badminton.Long Live BWF SUPER SERIES>No Money No Talk.

[kenny7_2006]

Thursday December 14, 1:41 PM

Badminton-New Super Series to raise prize money, profile
Kuala Lumpur, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Badminton's most prestigious event, the All England Championship, will be part of a new cash-driven 12-tournament Super Series tour aimed at raising the sport's global appeal.
Governing body Badminton World Federation (BWF), formerly known as the International Badminton Federation, said on Thursday that the inaugural series in 2007 will offer minimum prize money of US$200,000 for each tournament.

"There will be more prize money, more television coverage and the opportunity for players to make a proper living out of the sport, just like tennis," BWF deputy president Punch Gunalan told Reuters.

"The important thing is to make badminton one of the leading racquet sports in the world."

The Super Series, running from January to December, will feature tournaments in England, China, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland.

China will stage two tournaments while a season-ending BWF Super Series Masters for the top eight in men's and women's singles and doubles will be played at a venue yet to be announced. ADVERTISEMENT



Badminton is hoping to make the most of recent rule changes that now sees 21-point rally sets, in which points can be scored no matter who is serving. Previously a point could only be scored by a serving player.

STEP FORWARD

Canadian top-50 player Bobby Milroy said the series is a major step forward for the sport.

"This is what we were waiting for the past 10 years," he said. "We knew it was the only way this sport could take off.

"Tennis has been doing this for 20 years. We are really excited about this. The new points system is great. Players were skeptical at first but now we can't imagine going back to the old system."

Paisan Rangsikitpho, BWF's chairman of events, said he hopes the series will encourage more players from Europe, the Americas and Africa to challenge what has traditionally been an Asian-dominated sport.

"With more prize money, it would mean that players can make a living out of the sport, therefore, it may encourage more players from the US and Europe to play badminton," said Paisan.

While minimum prize money is US$200,000, individual tournaments are allowed to offer purses above this amount.

BWF has also appointed Stockhold-based IEC in Sports to handle global television marketing and distribution.

"Badminton needs more stars. We expect players and federations to be more professional and change their mindsets," said Gunalan. "We need a Tiger Woods or Andre Agassi. That's the direction we want to go in."

nice report, BTW where did u get this from, and do you have the source website? thanks!

[cooler]

Badminton: No more nationality separation
18 Dec 2006
K.M. Boopathy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------THE Badminton World Federation (BWF) is doing away with the nationality separation policy in determining the draw for next year’s Super Series.

This means that a meeting between World No 1 Lin Dan of China and his compatriot Chen Hong or a rare meeting between Lee Chong Wei and Hafiz Hashim in the preliminary round will be a norm once the Super Series gets underway with the Malaysia Open on Jan 16-21 next year.

BWF had previously separated the top two players from the same nation in different halves and this avoids the players from meeting until the final.

However, BWF is adopting a similar approach to tennis where the world rankings are only used to determine seedings and draw.

BWF deputy president Datuk Punch Gunalan stressed that the move will ensure that the players approach the tournaments professionally.

"There will be no more nationality separation as we want to establish a professional level of competition among the players. The approach and organisation of the Super Series moves towards professionalism," said Gunalan after BWF’s council meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"However, the ruling will only be implemented for the Super Series tournaments and in the Olympics, Asian Games, World Championships or other major events."

The Malaysia Open will be the first tournament to witness the change of rule. The Super Series is a 12-leg tournament which offers a minimum of US$200,000 (RM711,080) in prize money for each leg. The series end with a Masters finals.

The council had also decided to move BWF’s administration office from its current location at the KLBA Stadium in Cheras to Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara next year.

Meanwhile, BA of Malaysia (BAM) secretary P. Ganga Rao’s role as BWF general manager was also made official yesterday and his tenure will begin effective Jan 1.

Ganga, 44, who began his career as a financial executive with BAM in 1987, said that it was a privilege for him to serve BWF and BAM.

However, Ganga said that he will still serve as BAM’s secretary and a change will only be determined by BAM president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh.

"It is a privilege and also a challenge to serve BWF and it was a move that was inevitable. Having served the sport locally, the time is right to move on to the international level," said Ganga.

"As for the position as the BAM secretary, I leave to Datuk Nadzmi to make a decision."

[cooler]

nice report, BTW where did u get this from, and do you have the source website? thanks!


http://www.sptimesrussia.com/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=19769

I shop around :D

[bananaboy]

Badminton: No more nationality separation
18 Dec 2006
K.M. Boopathy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------THE Badminton World Federation (BWF) is doing away with the nationality separation policy in determining the draw for next year’s Super Series.

This means that a meeting between World No 1 Lin Dan of China and his compatriot Chen Hong or a rare meeting between Lee Chong Wei and Hafiz Hashim in the preliminary round will be a norm once the Super Series gets underway with the Malaysia Open on Jan 16-21 next year.

BWF had previously separated the top two players from the same nation in different halves and this avoids the players from meeting until the final.

However, BWF is adopting a similar approach to tennis where the world rankings are only used to determine seedings and draw.
Now, are they trying to make LYB the star and topic of the sport... as we definitely will hear more people accuse him of fixing matches.:rolleyes:

BWF will never learn from their lessons in the past... first, Taufik... now LYB...

Funny.. they mentioned about a possible match between LCW and Hafiz... like Hafiz stands a chance with his recent performance against LCW. Hafiz may help LCW beat his own record of saving 7 match points, but then LHI now has a saving 11 match points record...against Hafiz...:D

[Loh]

Reported in Star Sport, 19 Dec 2006:

Malaysia lamented that its newly-crowned Asian Games men's badminton doubles pair of KKK and TBH will miss the the first leg of the SS in KL itself during the Malaysian Open from Jan 16-21, 2007. All because the pair is currently WR 119, faraway from the top 60 who will get direct entry into the SS.

The top 28 will enter the main draw direct while the remaining 4 others will be chosen from the qualifying round involving a maximum of 32 players or pairs. (Therefore the qualifying round will be long and the competiton tough as players will have to fight hard for the 4 places in the main draw.)

Replacements are only allowed if those ranked in the top 60 decide to withdraw and once the draw is made, there will be no replacements.

Therefore the ranking of the players/pairs will be very important under the SS.

Coach Rexy has reason to be dissappointed that the new pair of KKK/TBH will not be able to participate in the first SS because of their low ranking. So the pair may have to earn more WR points by playing in lower-ranked tournaments like the Satellites.

But badminton fans will be all too eager to watch KKK/TBH in action in the SS! ;)

[jug8man]

Well,

Maybe this will mean the new pair will get filthy rich enroute to qualifying for the SS by bagging lots of smaller tournaments. Unlike other higher ranked pairs, they have a perfect reason to play small tournaments and no shame about it :D

Cheers!

[Loh]

Well,

Maybe this will mean the new pair will get filthy rich enroute to qualifying for the SS by bagging lots of smaller tournaments. Unlike other higher ranked pairs, they have a perfect reason to play small tournaments and no shame about it :D

Cheers!

Do you think any of the top 60 players will give the SS a miss to challenge KKK/TBH??? Or they take part in both tournaments, the SS and a lower ranked one? The rules do not prevent them from doing so, right? ;)

[jug8man]

Thats very tru Loh. There is no such rule. Just most will be very busy playing in the SS.

I'm sure they will knock into Saputra once in a while :D

TBBMBB(N)

[event]

Maybe this will mean the new pair will get filthy rich enroute to qualifying for the SS by bagging lots of smaller tournaments. Unlike other higher ranked pairs, they have a perfect reason to play small tournaments and no shame about it Filthy rich? Haha. If it were possible in badminton, I don't think any player would bother with shame. That is what Lendl used to do in the early 80s. He went for several years as the top prize money earner in men's tennis without playing, and in some cases even entering, Grand Slam tournaments.

This case is a very interesting one, however. In the past, the IBF used a virtual ranking system such that Tony and Candra, for example, ended up seeded in Korea despite having only 5,400 ranking points. Now, scratch pairings of top players won't even be allowed into the tournament. Granted, such a scratch pairing means that a spot at the top will open up but the rules will force a scratch pair to go to the back of the line behind a lot of lower-ranked pairs. So for example, in the Super Series, we're more likely to see Schoppe & Fogarty than Koo and Tan. Mind you, if they are really good, it shouldn't take long. If they still get 4200 points for winning a 4-star tournament, it won't even take four wins to get a team into the top 32.

[Loh]

Star Sports, 22 Dec 2006

Asian Games men's doubles gold medallists Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong will get to compete in the US$200,000 Malaysian Open after all.

But they have to play in the qualifying tournament of the opening leg of the Super Series, which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium (KLBA) from Jan 16-21.

The withdrawals of players from the small badminton playing nations have given KKK-TBH, who are now ranked 119th in the world, a place in the qualifiers.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary, P. Ganga Rao, said yesterday: "The closing date for the Open was on Wednesday. Most of the top pairs will feature in the tournament.

"But some countries have decided to stay away and this has given KKK-TBH the chance to make it to the main draw from the qualifying tournament."

Only the top 60 in the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) rankings in the respective events get direct entry into the Super Series.

The top 28 go into the main draw while four others will come from the qualifying rounds, which involve a maximum of 32 players.

Replacements are only allowed if those ranked in the top 60 decide to pull out. And once the draw is made, there can be no replacement.

The BAM will announce the stars for the tournament soon.

[Jessica]

Wow...Lets hope that they can play well...This is really a piece of good new...

[cooler]

Badminton/Malaysia Open review: Super Series needs to be better
23 Jan 2007
K.M. BOOPATHY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE Badminton World Federation (BWF) launched its long-awaited Super Series but the organisation glitches of the first leg, the Malaysia Open badminton championships, did not help raise the profile of the sport.

The 12-leg Super Series, was supposed to provide bigger prize money for the players and also make badminton television friendly.

While the BWF may argue that teething problems are common in a new venture, this is not the first time badminton’s world governing body is organising an international tournament.

Except for cosmetic changes where BWF has grouped the major grand prix tournaments under the Super Series brand, increased the total prize money of several tournaments, slightly modified the draw and seedings, there is nothing new.

The first issue raised was on the eligibility rule for the main draw where only the top 28 players in the world gain automatic berths while another four must advance through qualifying rounds.

However, lack of foresight on BWF’s part has seen the top 15 players competing in the first round, in the case of World No 1 Lin Dan of China and World No 12 Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.

And doing away with the nationality separation rule saw players or pairs from the same country meeting each other in the preliminary rounds.

China withdrew their top three shuttlers - World No 1 Zhang Ning, World No 2 Xie Xingfang and World No 8 Jiang Yanjiao - as they were expected to meet their back-up shuttlers in the preliminary rounds.

The trend is set to continue as BWF is convinced that the formula provides for open competition but the fact is, countries may start sending their players to the smaller grand prix tournaments to earn ranking points.

This is because the Super Series winners will gain 9,000 points while the grand prix winners gain 7,000 points and the disparity in points is little that the grand prix tournaments could be worth competing for newly ranked players and pairs like Malaysia Open champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong who played in the qualifying rounds in KL.

The tournament schedule also breached BWF’s rule which does not allow matches to start after midnight.

The organisers allocated four courts and with 40 matches scheduled on Thursday beginning 6pm, the matches were delayed for more than two hours.

As a result, the last match of the day between World No 2 Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark and Thailand’s Sudket Prakamol-Patapol Ngernsrisuk, scheduled to start at 10pm, only commenced approximately 12.45am.

There was also no proper area to conduct interviews, with interviews conducted at corridors and this does not give the Super Series the high profile which BWF wants to create.

[hcyong]

The first issue raised was on the eligibility rule for the main draw where only the top 28 players in the world gain automatic berths while another four must advance through qualifying rounds.

However, lack of foresight on BWF’s part has seen the top 15 players competing in the first round, in the case of World No 1 Lin Dan of China and World No 12 Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.

And doing away with the nationality separation rule saw players or pairs from the same country meeting each other in the preliminary rounds.


Not necessarily a bad thing. We all know Taufik is a top player, but who can say he cannot be drawn against Lin Dan when his own ranking is not enough? What if 16 seeds were allocated and Taufik was ranked 17 (and he is still drawn against Lin Dan)? It is all arbitrary.

The elimination of the nationality separation rule in one of the positive things BWF has done (even though it may have adverse side effects). For the long term benefit of badminton, BWF must promote individuality. My own opinion is that BWF must do even more to reduce the importance of nationality.



China withdrew their top three shuttlers - World No 1 Zhang Ning, World No 2 Xie Xingfang and World No 8 Jiang Yanjiao - as they were expected to meet their back-up shuttlers in the preliminary rounds.


Nothing BWF can do about this, even if it is true. The withdrawal of Zhang Ning from Korea Open cannot be explained this way as she can only meet her first team-mate, Zhu Lin, in the semifinals. Even for Malaysia Open, both Xie and Zhang can only meet team-mates in the quarterfinals, which has not deterred their entry in the past.



The trend is set to continue as BWF is convinced that the formula provides for open competition but the fact is, countries may start sending their players to the smaller grand prix tournaments to earn ranking points.

This is because the Super Series winners will gain 9,000 points while the grand prix winners gain 7,000 points and the disparity in points is little that the grand prix tournaments could be worth competing for newly ranked players and pairs like Malaysia Open champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong who played in the qualifying rounds in KL.


This, I agree. I believe there should be a wider gap.



The tournament schedule also breached BWF’s rule which does not allow matches to start after midnight.

The organisers allocated four courts and with 40 matches scheduled on Thursday beginning 6pm, the matches were delayed for more than two hours.

As a result, the last match of the day between World No 2 Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark and Thailand’s Sudket Prakamol-Patapol Ngernsrisuk, scheduled to start at 10pm, only commenced approximately 12.45am.


Also agreed. I believe this may be the folly of the Malaysian organisers who perhaps wanted more spectators during the Fri session. They should have started 2 hours earlier.

[ctjcad]

Except for cosmetic changes where BWF has grouped the major grand prix tournaments under the Super Series brand, increased the total prize money of several tournaments, slightly modified the draw and seedings, there is nothing new.

The first issue raised was on the eligibility rule for the main draw where only the top 28 players in the world gain automatic berths while another four must advance through qualifying rounds.

However, lack of foresight on BWF’s part has seen the top 15 players competing in the first round, in the case of World No 1 Lin Dan of China and World No 12 Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.
..hmm, i think the most significant effect would be on the MS & WS events, where in previous yrs they had up to 64 players in the Main draw. The doubles events would, usually, had 32 pairs in the Main draw. Same as now.

The tournament schedule also breached BWF’s rule which does not allow matches to start after midnight.

The organisers allocated four courts and with 40 matches scheduled on Thursday beginning 6pm, the matches were delayed for more than two hours.

As a result, the last match of the day between World No 2 Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark and Thailand’s Sudket Prakamol-Patapol Ngernsrisuk, scheduled to start at 10pm, only commenced approximately 12.45am.
..now, this baffles me a bit.:confused::p How could the matches have gone past 12am?? So, going from 64 players to 32 players in the MS & WS events had prolonged the time schedule??..I thought it would shortened the time schedule instead??..:confused: :p :confused:

[hcyong]

..hmm, i think the most significant effect would be on the MS & WS events, where in previous yrs they had up to 64 players in the Main draw. The doubles events would, usually, had 32 pairs in the Main draw. Same as now.


Mostly the impact is on MS. Previously, even in the rare case when the WS event is 64-draw, there will be a lot of byes. Even 64-draw MS events usually had some byes.

The biggest impact is felt when only the top 8 players are seeded instead of the top 16. That is because in the MS, the 9-16 bracket players are very formidable. So currently, even the top players are worried by the impending draw. Previously, the top players are less worried because those outside the top 20 are less trouble. For me, there is good and bad. Lin Dan v Taufik in the very first round can be good or bad, depending on perspective.



..now, this baffles me a bit.:confused::p How could the matches have gone past 12am?? So, going from 64 players to 32 players in the MS & WS events had prolonged the time schedule??..I thought it would shortened the time schedule instead??..:confused: :p :confused:

This is the organiser's fault. Knowing that there are 10 matches to finish per court, they still started the day at 6 pm. I see that in Korea they are not repeating the same mistake.

[hcyong]

I don't know if this is technically possible or whether there are any weaknesses, but I feel that the draw for the qualifying rounds should be made on the morning of the qualifying day.

From what I noticed, the qualifying draw is scattered with withdrawals, due to players being promoted to the main draw, or no-shows especially by players from Ghana, Nigeria or other dubious ones. The effect is that some players may be on the receiving end of unfair competition.

For instance, in the KO qualifying, WCH had to play 3 rounds against fresh opponents. His 2nd round opponent had a first-round walkover, while his 3rd round opponent won both his opening rounds on walkover.

Because the qualifying round is now relatively high calibre and because there could be three rounds to be played within a day, I feel that it is inevitable that some circumstances will occur to create unfairness.

So, I think the qualifying draw should be made as late as possible, after some players got promoted to the main draw and after the organiser has ascertained who will take part and who will not.

[hcyong]

http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/ranking/ranking.aspx?rid=32

Super Series ranking

Interesting to note that in the doubles, they rank by individual player, not the pair as a unit. This way, if new partnership is formed, you still keep your points you scored with your old partner, and not start from zero.

[Loh]

I'm sure with more experience, the organizers should do a better job. The Korea Open appears to be run more smoothly, perhaps they have noted the MO shortcomings and prevented them from happening from day one.

As for qualifiers who never turned up and caused some other qualifiers to struggle unnecessarily, maybe the BWF should penalise them, like not allowing them to participate in the SS for two or three consecutive events and/or have qualifying points deducted from them.

[ctjcad]

I don't know if this is technically possible or whether there are any weaknesses, but I feel that the draw for the qualifying rounds should be made on the morning of the qualifying day.

From what I noticed, the qualifying draw is scattered with withdrawals, due to players being promoted to the main draw, or no-shows especially by players from Ghana, Nigeria or other dubious ones. The effect is that some players may be on the receiving end of unfair competition.

For instance, in the KO qualifying, WCH had to play 3 rounds against fresh opponents. His 2nd round opponent had a first-round walkover, while his 3rd round opponent won both his opening rounds on walkover.

Because the qualifying round is now relatively high calibre and because there could be three rounds to be played within a day, I feel that it is inevitable that some circumstances will occur to create unfairness.

So, I think the qualifying draw should be made as late as possible, after some players got promoted to the main draw and after the organiser has ascertained who will take part and who will not.
..hcyong, this sounds like a very plausible idea..However, IMO, anything can happen, prior or during the actual competition itself. We don't know how late is "late" for the organizer to assemble the Qualifying Rd. draw. Say, they proceed w/the final Qualifying Rd. draw within, say, 30 min. before the Qualifying Rd. play commenced. But then, unexpectedly, within 5-15 min. before the competition commenced, a few of the players, for some reason(s), decide to pull out...now what??..re-draw again??..:confused: :rolleyes: :p

As for qualifiers who never turned up and caused some other qualifiers to struggle unnecessarily, maybe the BWF should penalise them, like not allowing them to participate in the SS for two or three consecutive events and/or have qualifying points deducted from them.
..this, i may say, is a much "better" idea..As much as i hate to give penalty, IMO, penalizing them in some way or another would make a bit more sense...But IMO, even going this route might not prevent any future occurences..:p

[hcyong]

..hcyong, this sounds like a very plausible idea..However, IMO, we don't know how late is "late" for the organizer to assemble the QF draw. Say, they proceed w/the final QF draw within, say, 30 min. before the QF play commenced. But then, unexpectedly, within 5-15 min. before the competition commenced, a few of the players, for some reason(s), decide to pull out...now what??..re-draw again??..:confused: :rolleyes: :p


Players who arrive at the competition venue or hotel (or whatever; they may even have to register when they arrive, etc. I don't know what the procedure is) will be very unlikely to pull out unless they have a very good reason, like a last-minute injury.

Literal last-minute pull-outs can still happen (like when Peter Gade pulled out of KO; normally someone would be promoted from the qualifying list, but his pull-out was too late) but those are rare and would not affect the draw so much compared to those many players from Ghana (for example) who en bloc do not even show up.



..this, i may say, is a much "better" idea..As much as i hate to give penalty, IMO, penalizing them in some way or another would make a bit more sense...But IMO, even going this route might not prevent any future occurences..:p

Those who have valid reasons should not be penalised. Those who have already showed up will not waste their travel expenses and time just to pull out of the competition. They must have a very good reason.

[ctjcad]

Players who arrive at the competition venue or hotel (or whatever; they may even have to register when they arrive, etc. I don't know what the procedure is) will be very unlikely to pull out unless they have a very good reason, like a last-minute injury.

Literal last-minute pull-outs can still happen (like when Peter Gade pulled out of KO; normally someone would be promoted from the qualifying list, but his pull-out was too late) but those are rare and would not affect the draw so much compared to those many players from Ghana (for example) who en bloc do not even show up.
..hmm, it's true, like you mentioned that some last minute injury(ies) or pull-outs are rare cases...And as i mentioned above, anything can happen, we just don't know...So, in your opinion, how "late" do you *realistically* think the Qualifying draw should be made??..How abt if there are more than 1 or 2 players, in the Main draw(s), that decide to pull-out on the same day??..I thought all draws are, usually, made a few days before the actual competition commenced??..:confused:

Those who have valid reasons should not be penalised. Those who have already showed up will not waste their travel expenses and time just to pull out of the competition. They must have a very good reason.
..hmm, now, this is a tricky one...I know they'll think abt their expenses or what not..But how "valid" or "very good" of a reason/excuse do you think the organizer, or maybe yourself, can deem it's a "valid" or "very good" reason/excuse??...Any way they, or you, can check for sure if, say, the injury is severe, moderate or minor??..I'm sure all withdrawals or pullouts from players have their own "validity", if at least the players have integrity in what they're revealing, no??..:confused: ;)

[hcyong]

..hmm, it's true, like you mentioned that some last minute injury(ies) or pull-outs are rare cases...And as i mentioned above, anything can happen, we just don't know...So, in your opinion, how "late" do you *realistically* think the Qualifying draw should be made??..How abt if there are more than 1 or 2 players, in the Main draw(s), that decide to pull-out on the same day??..I thought all draws are, usually, made a few days before the actual competition commenced??..:confused:


I don't have a definite answer. Perhaps one day before the matches start? Anything after that is left to chance. Pull-outs from the main draw (without replacement) is not so bad because only one round is played a day for the main draw, whereas in the qualifying draw, 3 rounds could be played, so the impact is high.

Draws are made way before competition starts. I am merely suggesting that the qualifying draw be made later, not even knowing whether it is plausible or not. I don't know enough to bang out the details.



..hmm, now, this is a tricky one...I know they'll think abt their expenses or what not..But how "valid" or "very good" of a reason/excuse do you think the organizer, or maybe yourself, can deem it's a "valid" or "very good" reason/excuse??...Any way they, or you, can check for sure if, say, the injury is severe, moderate or minor??..I'm sure all withdrawals or pullouts from players have their own "validity", if at least the players have integrity in what they're revealing, no??..:confused: ;)

What reason has someone got to go all the way to someplace just so that they won't play?

[ctjcad]

What reason has someone got to go all the way to someplace just so that they won't play?
...for your above query...Until or unless the player(s), *who have showed up*, themselves decide that they can't compete and thus have to pull-out from the competition; of course, cos you and i and everyone know that anything can happen...And that's where your comment earlier, and i quote, "Those who have valid reasons should not be penalised. Those who have already showed up will not waste their travel expenses and time just to pull out of the competition. They must have a very good reason."...
This is where we draw the line in deciding whether to penalize a player or not: how can the organizer/you/me/we "validate" or deem that the reason(s)/excuse(s) for their pull-outs are "valid" or "very good reason", other than to rely on the players' integrity in disclosing them..:confused: ;)

[hcyong]

...for your above query...Until or unless the player(s), *who have showed up*, themselves decide that they can't compete and thus have to pull-out from the competition; of course, cos you and i and everyone know that anything can happen...And that's where your comment earlier, and i quote, "Those who have valid reasons should not be penalised. Those who have already showed up will not waste their travel expenses and time just to pull out of the competition. They must have a very good reason."...
This is where we draw the line in deciding whether to penalize a player or not: how can the organizer/you/me/we "validate" or deem that the reason(s)/excuse(s) for their pull-outs are "valid" or "very good reason", other than to rely on the players' integrity in disclosing them..:confused: ;)

We cannot validate, that's why we cannot punish them.

[shreky]

hey guys .... anybody knows where the Masters Finals would be for the First Super Series? According to the BWF website, it is schedued for 18-23 Dec but no info was provided as to where it would be.

[Loh]

hey guys .... anybody knows where the Masters Finals would be for the First Super Series? According to the BWF website, it is schedued for 18-23 Dec but no info was provided as to where it would be.

Most probably China. And I think the prize money is no less than US$500,000, but still a pittance in professional sports of the top league. :(

[abedeng]

I think this lack of world interest in badminton compared to other racket sports is partially due to the overwhelming dominance of Asians.

But now European strength is improving with Poles, Germans, Dutch and Russians challenging England and Denmark. But Sweden has gone out of the picture, fancy that, when they had All England MD champs in the 80s.

[shreky]

Most probably China. And I think the prize money is no less than US$500,000, but still a pittance in professional sports of the top league. :(

how about bringing the games back in the US? maybe on the east coast this time??? :) .... I don't know though where the players can practice .... it might end back in Cali but perhaps in the bay area this time (with 5 dedicated badminton gyms).

[Loh]

how about bringing the games back in the US? maybe on the east coast this time??? :) .... I don't know though where the players can practice .... it might end back in Cali but perhaps in the bay area this time (with 5 dedicated badminton gyms).

It appears that the US is still not ready yet to provide the necessary support, in terms of sponsorship, mass media coverage and mainstream interest. :(