Channel NewsAsia By Patwant Singh | Posted: 10 August 2011 1635 hrs SINGAPORE: The Li Ning Singapore Badminton Open attracts some of the best players. The Singapore Badminton Association (SBA), plans to bring it a notch higher from the Super Series to the Premier Super Series level. That comes with conditions, like increasing the prize money from the current US$250,000 to a minimum of US$350,000. SBA is discussing renewal terms with current sponsor Li Ning as that deal ends in 2013. The opening of the world class SportsHub in 2014 could boost Singapore's chances. Mr Bobby Lee, CEO of the Singapore Badminton Association, said: "The Badminton World Federation also tries to position a Premier Super Series in different regions around the world. So we will probably have to compete with Indonesia and Malaysia to host a Premier Super Series when the next bidding comes which is from 2014 till 2016." Besides Malaysia and Indonesia, the other Premier Super Series events are staged in China, Denmark and England. Mr Lee added that Singapore is now not considering hosting the Thomas, Uber or Sudirman Cups, as stated earlier, due to the hefty costs, which can amount to a few million dollars. SBA wants to bring back the National Championships and a Masters event so that there are more competitions for badminton fans in Singapore. Singapore shuttlers who do well at major events, are also likely to assist the country's quest for the Premier Super Series tag. At the moment, the players are preparing for the upcoming SEA Games. SBA is targeting at least four medals, with a possible gold from the women's doubles pair of Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei. The other three medals are likely to be delivered by the men's and women's teams, and the women's singles event. "We have finalised the squad (for the SEA Games). Right now, we have 10 male players and nine female players going up to Jakarta for the SEA Games," said Mr Lee. SBA said it is planning to send the SEA Games squad for centralised training in October. The likely destinations, China or Indonesia, with the training lasting over a one or two week period. - CNA/cc
there would be more badminton halls in Singapore if all the schools in Singapore allow the public to utilise the school halls
