Rights holders want Lion City to host badminton's world cup in 2014 by Ian De Cotta 04:45 AM Jul 24, 2012 SINGAPORE - It has been 57 years since Singapore last hosted the Thomas Cup, and with a slew of top events expected to mark the opening of the Sports Hub in 2014, there are plans for badminton's most prestigious showcase to make a return here and be part of the calendar. Enterprise Sports Group (ESG), which was given exclusive commercial rights to the Thomas Cup in a five-year deal signed with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) last December, said it will be approaching both the governing body and the Singapore Badminton Association to make this happen. This year's Thomas Cup finals were held in May in China, who won it for the fifth straight time to claim their ninth title, but the venue for 2014 has yet to be decided. In an exclusive interview with TODAY, ESG Director David Sim said that as BWF agents, it has a say on who should host the next Thomas Cup, and that it intends to make a pitch for Singapore, which was the venue for the 1952 and 1955 competitions, when it was held every three years. He added the Republic ticks all the right boxes after staging big sports events, such as the Formula 1 night race, and has a strong case to hold badminton's world cup. "We are also in the neighbourhood of the badminton powers and the ease with which their fans can get here is a big plus point," said Sim. "What we now need is for the relevant local sports authorities to get behind this project as it will put us in a position to win the BWF's nod." The only item on the table that needs to be tackled is the cost of bidding for the rights fee and organising the seven-day Thomas Cup, estimated to be between S$4 million and S$6 million. But Singapore will also be up against powerhouses China, Indonesia and Malaysia, who hosted the competition three, eight and six times, respectively, since the inaugural event in 1949. Said Sim: "These countries have a huge domestic following, and are sure to make strong bids. As the commercial rights holder, we have to make sure the BWF get the best deal. "But we can also work with the winning host country and, if asked, can act as commercial agents for the local national sports association to raise sponsorship money to cover the costs." ESG first made headlines in 2010 when it beat giants World Sports Group and IMG Sports to clinch a five-year deal from the BWF to be its sponsorship agents for the World Superseries. The BWF's confidence in ESG grew when the Singapore company acquired non-badminton related brands like Osim as title sponsors for the series. Along with the Thomas and Uber Cups deal inked seven months ago, ESG were also given the rights to the men and women's singles World Championships and mixed-doubles Sudirman Cup. When contacted, SBA Chief Executive Officer Bobby Lee said it is keen to bid for the Thomas and Uber Cups, if the proposition is viable. "Given the chance, we certainly want to host it," he said. "If we are certain we can get the needed sponsorship, and the right professional help to do so, then the association will consider this seriously." Singapore may play host to China's world No 1 Lin Dan and his compatriots as they defend the Thomas Cup in 2014. REUTERS
