2008 international badminton calendar. crazy!

[kwun]

i just added all the sub-forums for the 2008 international tournaments. i cannot help but to notice this crazy schedule in Sept and October:

Sept 9-14 - Chinese Taipei (GP Gold)
Sept 16-21 - Japan (SS)
Sept 23-28 - China (1) (SS)
Sept 30-Oct 5 - Macau (GP Gold)
Oct 7-12 - New Zealand (GP Gold)
Oct 14-19 - Dutch (GP Gold)
Oct 21-26 - Denmark (SS)
Oct 28-Nov 2 - French (SS)

that's 2 months of solid back to back tournaments! 4 GP Gold and 4 SS, and in 3 different continents no less.

now that's really good for us badminton fans. i hope the professionals don't try to hit them all otherwise it will be the onset of a lot of injured players.

anyway, check it out:

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=190

[drifit]

wow...! want to test the players to the limit??

[avataar]

The 2007 calendat is equally busy

sept 4 - 9 : indian open (GP Gold)
sept 11 - 16 : japan super series
sept 18 - 23 : chinese taipe (GP Gold)
oct 2 - 7 : macau (GP Gold)
oct 9 - 14 : olympic test event, beijing
oct 16 - 21 : dutch grand prix
oct 23 - 28 : denmark super series
oct 30 - 4 nov : french super series

3 - super series , 3 - GP Gold's and 1 - GP event

players and national teams will start prioritising events and tournament organisers will have a hard time having star line ups....

hopefully more of the juniors and second line good palyers will get more events to participate and therefore more exposure

[kwun]

players and national teams will start prioritising events and tournament organisers will have a hard time having star line ups....

hopefully more of the juniors and second line good palyers will get more events to participate and therefore more exposure

both are good points. ppl will come to a tournament to watch stars to play, but yet these stars are unlikely to enter even a GP Gold event due to the scheduling.

on the other hand, it will give space to the up and coming player to achieve better results.

can't have it all, i guess.

[avataar]

yep the scheduling does not so justice to 2nd tier tournaments. the top players will prefer the SS and the major tourney's - prize money/ranking points etc being the incentive.

but the GP gold events are also fair - think the thai and philippines open were decent in terms of the participation both players and crowds, but yes thought needs to be put in the officials at BWF and maybe look at a better scheduled calendar (too many parties to pacify though....)

[DinkAlot]

That's crazy with the OSS. But with the NSS, I feel it's much less crazy.

[ants]

This will be good for the juniours to participate in the Gold tournaments. Seniors will concentrate in the SSs.

[ctjcad]

..adapting a system similar to professional tennis..Have 3 or 4 or at max. 6 selected major/SS tourneys per yr..If certain countries can't come up with a sponsor to provide the required prize money, then other countries which can provide the money should get the nod. And by increasing the prize monies in those selected SS tourneys, it should compensate the less no. of SS tourneys..Considering also that so far this yr, there had been a couple or so instances, in SS tourneys, where players who were expected to participate ended up not attending..
I suggest a minimum of $500,000 prize money for a SS event..:p;)

players and national teams will start prioritising events and tournament organisers will have a hard time having star line ups....

both are good points. ppl will come to a tournament to watch stars to play, but yet these stars are unlikely to enter even a GP Gold event due to the scheduling.

yep the scheduling does not so justice to 2nd tier tournaments. the top players will prefer the SS and the major tourney's - prize money/ranking points etc being the incentive.
..yeah, esp. if good prize money is offered as an incentive..But i'm sure players will focus more on tourneys which offer more prize monies (other than WC, TC&UC, SC and Olympics or maybe AG, EC)..
Btw, there have been small reports that plans are in the works for a million dollar badminton tournament??..:p;):cool:

[ctjcad]

..i don't see any Super Series Final on the schedule?? i hope they still hold it next yr..Noticed also they've moved up the U.S. Open, a month early, to accommodate the Olympics..But yeah, the last quarter of the yr looks to be quite hectic (9 major tourneys)..:p

[huangkwokhau]

NZ Open will suffer a lot....tough to travel to one continent and the rest of 3 SS/GP are in europe....I can see most of asian/australian/NZ will participate only....

[badMania]

i just added all the sub-forums for the 2008 international tournaments. i cannot help but to notice this crazy schedule in Sept and October:

Sept 9-14 - Chinese Taipei (GP Gold)
Sept 16-21 - Japan (SS)
Sept 23-28 - China (1) (SS)
Sept 30-Oct 5 - Macau (GP Gold)
Oct 7-12 - New Zealand (GP Gold)
Oct 14-19 - Dutch (GP Gold)
Oct 21-26 - Denmark (SS)
Oct 28-Nov 2 - French (SS)


I predict:
Pelatnas Main Team will only participate in Japan and China SS+Denmark and French SS.
Pelatnas Second Team will participate in the Asian GP Golds and perhaps NZ GP Gold or Dutch GP Gold.
Djarum players will probably be sent to the GP Golds, with the exception of Rian/Yoke.

[Dreamzz]

ah, i think it's bad for badminton to pack all these tournaments in so tightly.
i do understand the need to have back to back tournaments in countries that are close by to reduce the time and cost of travelling, but 4 SS and 4 GP gold in 2 months in ridiculous!

[xXazn_romeoXx]

..adapting a system similar to professional tennis..Have 3 or 4 or at max. 6 selected major/SS tourneys per yr..If certain countries can't come up with a sponsor to provide the required prize money, then other countries which can provide the money should get the nod. And by increasing the prize monies in those selected SS tourneys, it should compensate the less no. of SS tourneys..Considering also that so far this yr, there had been a couple or so instances, in SS tourneys, where players who were expected to participate ended up not attending..
I suggest a minimum of $500,000 prize money for a SS event..:p;)



..yeah, esp. if good prize money is offered as an incentive..But i'm sure players will focus more on tourneys which offer more prize monies (other than WC, TC&UC, SC and Olympics or maybe AG, EC)..
Btw, there have been small reports that plans are in the works for a million dollar badminton tournament??..:p;):cool:

you do in fact realise that no badminton event or tournament has ever come up anywhere CLOSE to $500k?...in fact, i believe the record is still $50k for the US Open that just passed, but it was a collective grand purse...not individual...so winners collect around $10k or so....

however, on your idea of getting sponsors is a great thought...although, sadly, badminton is a sport which does not receive anywhere that close of recognition as well as sponsors...the main ones you always see in specific big tournaments like aviva in the singapore, proton in m'sia and Black Knight here in canada, they're about the only company/people who do care about badminton...so making a purse of $500k would be an ENORMOUSE incentive to any player...but comming up with the dough is a little on the short side :cool::p:D;)

[ctjcad]

you do in fact realise that no badminton event or tournament has ever come up anywhere CLOSE to $500k?...
..as heard thru the grapevine, there will be a $500k Grand Prix Finale at end of the yr...at least that's a start..;):)

the main ones you always see in specific big tournaments like aviva in the singapore, proton in m'sia and Black Knight here in canada, they're about the only company/people who do care about badminton...so making a purse of $500k would be an ENORMOUSE incentive to any player...but comming up with the dough is a little on the short side :cool::p:D;)
..that's why i suggested to just make a min. of 4 major tourneys to a max. of 6 major tourneys (ala in tennis), worth at least $500k per yr, instead of the 12 jumbled SS tourneys-The total amt. of money will come out to be the same anyway if the current 12 SS tourneys are offering a $250k prize money/tourney..Then there could be GPs, GP Golds and other smaller tourneys in between..;)
Spreading & lessening the # of tourneys per yr. will also help the players to recuperate and be in better fitness..And by doing so, more top ranked players will be able to come and participate-thus people will come and watch...I'm sure gaining a $500k for a badminton tournament is quite possible..Then in the future, have a GP Final which will have a $1 mil. prize-purse money (which, i believe, was mentioned that there have been some talks to do so, recently in an article, by Howard Bach)..;):cool:

[LazyBuddy]

you do in fact realise that no badminton event or tournament has ever come up anywhere CLOSE to $500k?...in fact, i believe the record is still $50k for the US Open that just passed, but it was a collective grand purse...not individual...so winners collect around $10k or so....



I believe US open is just a 2 star event, which means 50K is no where near to be the top. I believe many other 4-6 star events offer a lot of more in prizes (well, they have to in order to be qualified). :rolleyes:

[samuel882]

..as heard thru the grapevine, there will be a $500k Grand Prix Finale at end of the yr...at least that's a start..;):)

..that's why i suggested to just make a min. of 4 major tourneys to a max. of 6 major tourneys (ala in tennis), worth at least $500k per yr, instead of the 12 jumbled SS tourneys-The total amt. of money will come out to be the same anyway if the current 12 SS tourneys are offering a $250k prize money/tourney..Then there could be GPs, GP Golds and other smaller tourneys in between..;)
Spreading & lessening the # of tourneys per yr. will also help the players to recuperate and be in better fitness..And by doing so, more top ranked players will be able to come and participate-thus people will come and watch...I'm sure gaining a $500k for a badminton tournament is quite possible..Then in the future, have a GP Final which will have a $1 mil. prize-purse money (which, i believe, was mentioned that there have been some talks to do so, recently in an article, by Howard Bach)..;):cool:
But with lesser SS, which suppose to attract majority of top players for competing... The Badminton Fans will have less chances to witness more great match :cool:
Fitness is the key point for any sportsman/women. They have to be able to sustain it throughout the whole years in order to make any impact on his career or even earning BIG amount of prizes consistently.:)

[cooler]

i think bwf understood that the powerhouse countries will be focusing on the 08 olympic and would likely not field their best players much before beijing. It's only smart to cramp them after august.:D

[ctjcad]

But with lesser SS, which suppose to attract majority of top players for competing... The Badminton Fans will have less chances to witness more great match :cool:
Fitness is the key point for any sportsman/women. They have to be able to sustain it throughout the whole years in order to make any impact on his career or even earning BIG amount of prizes consistently.:)
..it's quite true abt having less SS tourneys will definitely affect the fans who want to watch the top players competing..But at the same time, there will be other GPs, GP Golds and other tourneys they can participate in..
Abt fitness being a key point for any sportsman/woman, yes, it's true also. But *reality* is, how many of them can sustain a healthy fitness throughout the whole yr. Even LinDan, who is known for his fitness, suffered some minor setbacks prior to the WC and even skipped 1 or 2 SS tourneys.
I think the key is, how to keep the top pros healthy and fit so they can come and participate in all the major tourneys?!?!:confused:
Personally, i'd rather have a less # of tourneys but with all the top players competing, rather than a more # of tourneys but with top players missing in action.
Remember also, each yr there will be a major team competition (ie. TC or UC and SC), so those will add more physical demands on the players.
Abt players earning BIG amount of prizes consistently, well, again, there are other GPs, GP Golds and other tourneys they can participate (and perhaps win some monies) in. Having say 6 major SS, which i think is plenty, with a total prize money of at least $500k will essentially offset the other 6 major SS. With that amt. of money presented, i wonder how many players will think abt skipping??..:confused::rolleyes:;)
In all, i think there's always somekind of a way/work around..:cool:

[xXazn_romeoXx]

..it's quite true abt having less SS tourneys will definitely affect the fans who want to watch the top players competing..But at the same time, there will be other GPs, GP Golds and other tourneys they can participate in..
Abt fitness being a key point for any sportsman/woman, yes, it's true also. But *reality* is, how many of them can sustain a healthy fitness throughout the whole yr. Even LinDan, who is known for his fitness, suffered some minor setbacks prior to the WC and even skipped 1 or 2 SS tourneys.
I think the key is, how to keep the top pros healthy and fit so they can come and participate in all the major tourneys?!?!:confused:
Personally, i'd rather have a less # of tourneys but with all the top players competing, rather than a more # of tourneys but with top players missing in action.
Remember also, each yr there will be a major team competition (ie. TC or UC and SC), so those will add more physical demands on the players.
Abt players earning BIG amount of prizes consistently, well, again, there are other GPs, GP Golds and other tourneys they can participate (and perhaps win some monies) in. Having say 6 major SS, which i think is plenty, with a total prize money of at least $500k will essentially offset the other 6 major SS. With that amt. of money presented, i wonder how many players will think abt skipping??..:confused::rolleyes:;)
In all, i think there's always somekind of a way/work around..:cool:

i stand corrected about the US open grand purse, and i do believe in time, there will be a grand purse of that stature...but like it or not, injuries happen all the time...and it makes some great unknown or lessly known players to be allowed to have a chance to show his/her abilities, as when if there was all the top players/seeds, they may have not...which is why i believe having these amount of tournments at back to back weeks is great to test the fitness of these atheletes...and yet, provide them with more of a chance to gather more points for specific things like OG or WC seeding...and they always have a chance to withdraw, but again, comes to the discretion of the players and federation/club/country they represent...:cool:

[ctjcad]

but like it or not, injuries happen all the time...and it makes some great unknown or lessly known players to be allowed to have a chance to show his/her abilities, as when if there was all the top players/seeds, they may have not...which is why i believe having these amount of tournments at back to back weeks is great to test the fitness of these atheletes...and yet, provide them with more of a chance to gather more points for specific things like OG or WC seeding...and they always have a chance to withdraw, but again, comes to the discretion of the players and federation/club/country they represent...:cool:
..actually those lesser known/seeded/unheralded players do have a chance to compete with the top players..Did you watch the recent WC and know Anup Shridnar beat Taufik??..Or WMC upsetting XXF?..
One has to take into consideration also all the travels these players have to go through-going from 1 place to another..Financially speaking, wouldn't it be better also to have a lesser travel schedule for these players/national bodies and have them rest/train more??..;)
The current BWF tourney format, IMO, seems to be geared more to players whom are physically fit enough and/or national bodies which are financially secured enough to finance their travels throughout the yr..;)
Realistically, how many of those players can do so?? Or how many national bodies can sustain such demands??..:confused:
As for gathering point for specific events like OG or WC, i think it could be done by participating in other "smaller" tourneys..;)
Now, which one would you prefer, having a WC or OG with top players/seeds not at 100% or worst not present because of injuries OR having all the top seeded players present and ready to go to perform their best??:confused:..And like you mentioned, injuries do happen..;)

[xXazn_romeoXx]

..actually those lesser known/seeded/unheralded players do have a chance to compete with the top players..Did you watch the recent WC and know Anup Shridnar beat Taufik??..Or WMC upsetting XXF?..
As for gathering point for specific events like OG or WC, i think it could be done by participating in other "smaller" tourneys..;)
Now, which one would you prefer, having a WC or OG with top players/seeds not at 100% or worst not present because of injuries OR having all the top seeded players present and ready to go to perform their best??:confused:..And like you mentioned, injuries do happen..;)

yes in fact i followed it intensely...however, i believe that there is a certain level of unpredictability in all tournaments...however, losing seeds due to injury or withdraw will open up the entire section of the bracket, and you do see new players or other players where you would likely not see...but my point is that it would be almost a definate chance, rather than allowing the level of unpredictability create the other upsets...

gathering points have been just the same, because countries with quotas will send players to the small tournaments, so participation won't be an issue, and they will have a chance to make up the points that they would not get in quotas, and the fact that players are already making points up in small tournaments anyways...so nothing would change top players not going to the small tourneys :D:p

as for WC or OG without the top players WILL be a huge disappointment to any fan, but injuries do happen, and upsets happen as well...i was disappointed when taufik was eliminated in the WC...but it did not take anything away from the tournament itself...the tournament was awesome...but i believe that the top players' high level of training will prevent most injuries...as well as coaches will advise certain things to their players to keep them fresh and fit when it counts :D;)...but expected or unexpected, next year will unfold very interestingly :D:p;)

[ctjcad]

..and i realized you replied but didn't pick up on my updated post..;)

[xXazn_romeoXx]

..and i realized you replied but didn't pick up on my updated post..;)

00p ahaha, didn't see that :D:p;)

i do agree that the schedule is hectic, and rather uneasy...i know all about the financial accountability that all of these tournaments will come up to, as well as the time to travel to all of these places...which is why i like to see how this year will go...if players can go through the current schedule as it is, and there seems to be no problem, then it should be fine....but nonetheless...most players are accustomed to going and skipping tournaments...i mean, players are only human;):D...they know the best for themselves as well...but your point is rather understood...players should not be objectified to such a schedule...however, this are working now...so if it ain't broken, don't fix it :D;):p.....well...complain as much as you want to have it changed...and it may end up changing....but it works fine right now :D;)

[ctjcad]

gathering points have been just the same, because countries with quotas will send players to the small tournaments, so participation won't be an issue, and they will have a chance to make up the points that they would not get in quotas, and the fact that players are already making points up in small tournaments anyways...so nothing would change top players not going to the small tourneys :D:p
..well, abt players participating in "smaller" tourneys to gather points, that's exactly what i suggested, no??..:confused:;)

as for WC or OG without the top players WILL be a huge disappointment to any fan, but injuries do happen, and upsets happen as well...i was disappointed when taufik was eliminated in the WC...but it did not take anything away from the tournament itself...the tournament was awesome...but i believe that the top players' high level of training will prevent most injuries...as well as coaches will advise certain things to their players to keep them fresh and fit when it counts :D;)...but expected or unexpected, next year will unfold very interestingly :D:p;)
..exactly..Players can lose or be upset during a tourney, i'm fine with that. But being absent or not being able to participate at 100% because of injuries (caused by too much competition) or what-have-yous is not what i want to see; freak injury is different though..Imagine a WC or OG without a LD or Taufik or any of the top players/pairs missing..:p:(

if players can go through the current schedule as it is, and there seems to be no problem, then it should be fine....but nonetheless...most players are accustomed to going and skipping tournaments...i mean, players are only human;):D...they know the best for themselves as well...but your point is rather understood...players should not be objectified to such a schedule...however, this are working now...so if it ain't broken, don't fix it :D;):p.....well...complain as much as you want to have it changed...and it may end up changing....but it works fine right now :D;)
..hmm, how do you know that there "seems to be no problem with this current SS format"?? and "this is working now??" and players are "happy"??..How many SS tourneys have been played with top players/pairs being absent or not participating at all for whatever reason(s)??..:confused::p;)...
Understanding that "players are only human and most players are accustomed to going and skipping tourneys", then shouldn't there be some kind of a "relieve" to lessen all of these and get the optimum effort instead??..:confused::rolleyes:;)
Btw, i'm not "complaining", just inputting an idea/suggestion (far-fetched as it may seem)..:p;)

[xXazn_romeoXx]

there is, but it should come at the END of the year...for now, i believe it is working because the top players have been winning, and unknown players have had their chance in the spotlight as well...as well, every tournament has had good enough success with having high quality badminton being played...now players have been withdrawing and getting injured before...and perhaps there is a way to explore and fix things to make it easier...but my point was that this year has been good, so i wouldn't change things....small tournaments have always been apart of the schedule, and making more or less of them wouldn't change much...however, having less big SS type tournaments may decrease the high quality of badminton that we see, due to not enough high competition...so, having top players go to small tournaments more instead of big SS type tournaments would ultimately make it a big tournament then, would it not?...but i do gather that most atheletes will assert themselves to only go so far, based on the obsticles posed by finance and time, so i believe the problem will fix itself...

[ctjcad]

and perhaps there is a way to explore and fix things to make it easier
..any suggestion as to how to "explore & fix things to make it easier"??..:confused:;)

small tournaments have always been apart of the schedule, and making more or less of them wouldn't change much...however, having less big SS type tournaments may decrease the high quality of badminton that we see, due to not enough high competition...
..true & the # of "smaller" tourneys should be left as is. But how do you explain "having less of these SS type tourneys may decrease the high quality of badminton, because there's not enough of them?".. IMO, it wouldn't decrease the high quality of badminton that we see. Rather with the lesser # of them to compete in, players will most likely go all out and perform their best, knowing well that there will be less of these SS to compete in. Add to that, with the knowledge of an added bonus of bigger prize monies await them.;):cool:

so, having top players go to small tournaments more instead of big SS type tournaments would ultimately make it a big tournament then, would it not?...
..sorry, i don't quite get this statement. Are you suggesting top players go to "smaller" tourneys more??..:confused:

[xXazn_romeoXx]

oh what i meant was, because there would be less big tournaments, more top players would flock to the smaller tournaments to earn more points, resulting from the lack of big tournaments....in turn, that would make those tournaments into big ones, instead of small ones that they're supposed to be!....effectively having just the name.."tournaments" for everything! lol...the way i would change to make it easier for players is to just let them decide...but the coaches should get an opinion....afterall, it's the players who have to play and be there...but, that may be a bad option, because sometimes players play because it's their career and not because they love it and it's fun XD...

i believe that the quality of badminton could lower if they had less SS type tournaments because most players are already going all out at them...or at least they should be! ;)....and if there are less tournaments, there will be less of the higher quality that we do see!...

[ctjcad]

...the way i would change to make it easier for players is to just let them decide...but the coaches should get an opinion....afterall, it's the players who have to play and be there...but, that may be a bad option, because sometimes players play because it's their career and not because they love it and it's fun XD...
..hmm, sorry, i don't quite follow. If we let the players "decide" where and when to play, then how abt the fans who are eager to see them play??.. :rolleyes::p

i believe that the quality of badminton could lower if they had less SS type tournaments because most players are already going all out at them...or at least they should be! ;)....and if there are less tournaments, there will be less of the higher quality that we do see!...
..hmm, i'm thinking the opposite. IMO, the less # of chances to perform, esp. for SS, players will feel the "urgency" to go all out and perform at their max. Unless, if you prefer more/the same # of SS tourneys, then the time period should be spread out. In a way, choose either one: less # of SS-type tourneys in a "fixed" time period OR keep the same amt. of SS-type tourneys but over a longer time span..:p;)

Anyways, i think we've discussed and turned our small discussion over and enough already-IOW, we've reached a dead-end:D:rolleyes::p..I think we both understand that there's no easy way out, as both fans & players have their own prerogatives & interests..;)

[xXazn_romeoXx]

definately lolz....however, i'm guessing we both will be watching very intently how the schedule does affect the players this year....there already were some withdraws in the Japan SS! damn...messed up my fantasy team =="

[ctjcad]

definately lolz....however, i'm guessing we both will be watching very intently how the schedule does affect the players this year....there already were some withdraws in the Japan SS! damn...messed up my fantasy team =="
..even more surprised, if there will be any top players/pairs missing from the end of the year $500k Grand Prix Finale event..hmm:confused::rolleyes::);)

[xXazn_romeoXx]

well, since it's top 8 + quota, i doubt it XD...besides...money should drive them? right XD

[CLELY]

From 2008 BWF calendar, there are three busy months which display 4 badminton tournaments in each month -- June, September and October.

*June 2008 as prelude for Olympic Games :
1) 03 - 08 June/08 : Philippines GP Gold
2) 10 - 15 June/08 : SIN SuperSeries
3) 17 - 22 June/08 : INA SuperSeries
4) 24 - 29 June/08 : Thailand GP Gold

*September until October 2008 as mentioned above contain 8 tourneys in 8 consecutive weeks as compensation of less tournament in February, April, May, July and December.

Two BWF events, Thomas & Uber Cup (May/08) and Beijing OG (August/08) definitely are the most awaited and headlines tourney for all badminton fans next year.

[Tommy Susanto]

With so many GP Gold event, SIN has a chance to win one for Kendrick:pI would say this beforehand, if the field is not strong, i would not congrat Kendrick:DSIN loves to pack all their top players in New Zealand and US open especially:p:D;)

[Tommy Susanto]

...except when team SIN came to Macao, where they have 3 top seeds in 5 disciplines and came out nothing but frustration to their coach, Eng Hian:crying::crying::crying::(:(:(:o:o:o

[badMania]

With so many GP Gold event, SIN has a chance to win one for Kendrick:pI would say this beforehand, if the field is not strong, i would not congrat Kendrick:DSIN loves to pack all their top players in New Zealand and US open especially:p:D;)

I think u SHOULD congratule Kendrick Lee for upsetting Chen Jin in the Malaysia Open Super Series 2008! Give him credits for an improved performance over the past 2 years, esp in recent months. He shows that he can indeed beat top players like Chen Jin and the World Champion silver-medallist Sony Dwi Kuncoro :cool:

[Cheung]

Let's not go too off topic

[abedeng]

About this scheduling congestion in Sept-Oct, this year some time had to be given for Thomas/Uber Cups and Olympics. Therefore tourneys normally played in May/June and July/August timeframe have to shift to new dates.

One alternative is to reduce the number of tournaments in a Cup+Olympic year.

Otherwise, break squads into two teams, send each team to 2 competitions, rotated every 2 weeks. Or pick and choose, but that would mean some competitions may not receive top field players.

[badMania]

Sept 9-14 - Chinese Taipei (GP Gold)
Sept 16-21 - Japan (SS)
Sept 23-28 - China (1) (SS)
Sept 30-Oct 5 - Macau (GP Gold)
Oct 7-12 - New Zealand (GP Gold)
Oct 14-19 - Dutch (GP Gold)
Oct 21-26 - Denmark (SS)
Oct 28-Nov 2 - French (SS)


Now, this will be good for the players from the second squad. I can foresee PBSI (and Djarum) sending their second-stringers to the Chinese-Taipei, Macau and New Zealand GP Golds (based on last year's experience).

The first team maybe sent to the Japan and China Masters Super Series (back-to-back), then followed by Denmark and French Super Series. The 4-weeks gap will allow them to recuperate well.

Likewise, before the Olympics, I can only foresee the first team being involved in the Thomas Cup (May), followed by Singapore and Indonesia Super Series (June).

The second-team will see actions in the Philippines, Thailand and India GP Golds.

[Krisna]

I think your guesses are pretty much correct, badMania... I will also note the Asian Championship as a destination for our INA second stringers in MS, MD, and XD [like Tommy, Alamsyah, Joko-Hendra AG, Bona-Ahsan, Greysia-Rijal, Tantowi-Yulianti] + maybe Simon... but most of the first stringers for WS and WD should go to the Gold GPs... The fact is: Firda, Maria Kristin, Nana, Pia, Rani-Endang, etc. have never proven that they could win any of the Gold GP events like India, Thailand etc... Oh, I just heard that the Philippine Open might be cancelled...