K.M. Boopathy Oct 22: INTERNATIONAL Badminton Federation (IBF) after much deliberation on re-introducing the nationality separation rule in deciding draws of grand prix tournaments, will be announcing a decision in Kuala Lumpur in December which will give a new lifeline for Asian shuttlers. Last year, IBF had introduced a regulation where only the top two players from each country were separated in the draws. This resulted in players from the same nation meeting as early as the first round. IBF is now expected to separate the top four players from a country in a four-quarter draw, which will ensure they don't meet till the quarter-final stage. IBF vice-president Datuk Punch Gunalan said that although changes in the draw format was made to make badminton more competitive and attract live telecast coverage, it has become difficult for nations, especially from Asia, who have just too many good players. "This matter was brought up by several Asian nations during our (IBF) annual general meeting in Birmingham (last August) and we will announce a decision in December," said Gunalan in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. "The matter is being handled by Dr. Charoen Wattanasin (IBF events committee chairman) and after hearing from all parties, he will be giving a decision which should be accepted by the majority of the players. "Lack of television coverage and making badminton more competitive were among the reasons which prompted IBF to change the regulations but now we need to consider the predicament faced by the players. "In tennis, open draws are conducted and players earn prize money even if they lose in the first round but in badminton, a player has to get into the last eight to earn prize money." This is not the only issue on the agenda of the IBF council meeting on Dec 17-20 as a suggestion to shift the association's secretariat from Cheltenham, England to Singapore will also be discussed. Gunalan said that the cost factor is the main reason for the proposal to shift IBF's base to Singapore as this will save up to US$140,000 (RM532,000) in rental and operations cost. Singapore has offered two office blocks to IBF and if approved, the move will take place in 2005. IBF is looking to increase its funding for development programmes in Africa and Pan America and the money saved in operations costs could be diverted there. While changes are taking place in IBF, the Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC) also had a change in leadership when South Korean businessman Kang Young Jung took over from Mamoru Otake of Japan in Jakarta on Saturday. The chairman of Daekyu Corporation, leading educational supppliers in Korea, was in Kuala Lumpur to visit the ABC secretariat yesterday and pledged to focus his attention on development and helping the sport towards professionalism during his tenure.
This will avoid players from a same nation playing each other in early rounds with pre-arranged matches... I think it is a good thing for the interest of the game.
Again, this is a "whether choose competitive game vs nationality proudness" issue. As for now, avoid players from same nation to fight each other might specially benefit the super powers, name as CHN, KOR, INA, MAS, DEN, etc. The later matches might be a "civil war" when they finally face each other. Nations without too many top players might think it's not fair, due to they have to fight through a massive pool of talents in order to go deep. However, the current system surely will waste a lot of true talent. Many top seeded players were out way too earlier than s/he suppose to be. Ask ppl with tough luck, such as Bao CL. If he's in the new system, his world ranking could be much higher than now. However, how many times he has to fight with his superior teammates, and being kicked out in the first 2,3 rounds? I guess there's no perfect solution to satisfy everyone. As long as there's still a big gap in skill and talent between the super powers and the rest, we will always hear one side (or even both) still complain.
