Head Referee Praises Thomas-Uber Cup Badminton Organizers

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Xinhuanet 2002-05-15 17:57:56

GUANGZHOU, Southern China, May 15 (Xinhuanet) -- This year's
Thomas and Uber Cup was amongst the best badminton tournaments
ever held, head referee Roger Johansson offered high remarks on
Wednesday to the organization of the on-going world team badminton
tournament in Guangzhou.
"Generally, this tournament is very well organized, "Johansson
stressed. "Not just well, but very well. I have been refereeing
in so many badminton tournaments, and I think this Thomas-Uber Cup
is one of the best."
Johansson had refereed in the Thomas-Uber Cup ever since 1984
and started officiating Olympic competitions in 1992 when
badminton was formally listed at the games.
He was also head of the judges in the 1987 world badminton
championships in Beijing.
"I have been in about 20 major badminton tournaments and this
is among the best ones. Everything about it is so good," he said.
Johansson said he was extremely satisfied with the facilities
both in the competition hall and the press center. "The hall is
in good shape, the lights, the advertisement boards and the wooden
floor with mats, everything. And look at the facilities in the
press center. Everything is arranged well."
In addition to the facilities, there are other things which
impressed the veteran judge. "The transportation is convenient as
it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to get here from our hotel, which
is also of high standard. Everything has been thought of."
"The volunteers are very helpful," Johansson added, giving
thumb up to their wholehearted service. "I have a feeling that
they are proud of volunteering in the tournament," he added.

- if badminton want to be a high profile sport with more international and media awareness, there is no better starting place then china, badminton powerhouse.
- i think the chinese government want to use the tc/ub events to learn and to gauge their readiness for the upcoming 2008 olympic. If this tc/ub end up to be a flop or anything less than previous tc/uc events, some chinese heads will roll.

I believe they can learn a little more about

camera angles and closeups in badminton.

The European stations seem to have sth extra.

You'll find when you eventually watch the videos that

they are not as well done as those in seville or All England.

Otherwise like cooler said the tour is well organised with more to come,

unfortunately Starsports decided to give all the sideshows a miss and just

televised the matches. Many of you may never get to see the LYB music video

unless someone buys it from HK/China.

LYB music video could might end as a badminton collector item
;)

I think it is on sale in China now as an MTV just

like Mariah Carey or sth.

YUCKS. Who wants to watch LYB sing? =P