New Zealand Open 2013 - getting attention from the big boys

Discussion in 'Australian / New Zealand Open 2013' started by cobalt, Mar 4, 2013.

  1. cobalt

    cobalt Moderator

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    Asian powerhouses confirm entries for NZ tournament


    Monday, 4 March, 2013
    http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/asian-powerhouses-confirm-entries-nz-tournament/5/148988

    It appears the 2013 US$50,000 SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open has already been targeted by some of the best players in the world from some of the big badminton nations such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan with each country having at least 15 entrants each for the April 10-14 event to be held at the North Shore Events Centre.

    Entries still have just under two weeks before they close which means the aim of over 300 players gunning for the titles at the tournament is very much on target. It is expected that there will be a number of top 10 players in Auckland.
    Other nations who have players entered include Thailand, Chinese Taipei, India, Macau, Norway, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand with a number of other countries to also come on board.

    The tournament sees a return of top badminton to New Zealand after the last event was held in 2011 as the Li-Ning New Zealand International Challenge. This year sees the event upgraded to a BWF World Grand Prix event, with prize-money of US$50,000 up for grabs. A Badminton World Federation Grand Prix tournament the New Zealand event, forms part of a three tournament swing through Oceania. It follows on from the Australian Badminton Open in Sydney - a Grand Prix Gold tournament, and precedes the Tahiti International.

    SKYCITY NZ Open Event Director, Julie Carrel has been at the US$120,000 German Open this week and is pleased with the interest in the Auckland event and the response from players so far.

    "I have spoken to a large number of players and they are really keen to come to the SKYCITY New Zealand Open. The indications are that we will have a really high calibre of badminton and some great entertainment on and off the court. The date for overseas entries is 15 March and I couldn’t be more pleased with the numbers we have so far. This event is going to be very strong across the board and will bring a real international flavour to sport in Auckland," says Carrel.

    "So far there’s been a good showing by the badminton community towards early ticket sales and now we have a bit more of an idea of the nation’s entering players we’re expecting that to flow on even more towards the good ticket sales."

    Tickets range from $6 to $35 with tournament packages from $58 and courtside hospitality from $75pp. There are also Finals Entertainment packages available which include accommodation, breakfast, transport to the venue and hospitality. http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/skycity-new-zealand-badminton-open/auckland/wairau-valley

    The Auckland finals will be broadcast live into a number of Asian nations and will have a highlights package on Sky television in New Zealand.

    The SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open will be held from 10-14 April 2013 at the North Shore Events Centre, Auckland.
     
  2. CLELY

    CLELY Regular Member

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  3. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    It will be even better if the NZ Open is upgraded tp GPG next year following AUS Open's status elevation to Superseries. Then it should make it more attractive and worthwhile for the AUS SS participants and overeas spectators to hop over here, also to enjoy the unspoilt,natural landscapes of New Zealand, spectacular,beautiful, and pristine.

    Delighted to know Xue Song and Qiao Bin as well as Deng Xuan and Yao Xue will be appearing in the NZ Open after the AUS GPG. But why not Sun Yu who is in neither tourneys? She needs a lot of exposure too.
     
  4. Agile_Monkey

    Agile_Monkey Regular Member

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    Top ranked players heading to new zealand

    "The SKYCITY NZ Badminton Open next month in Auckland has scored a coup, firstly with the number of players entered into the event, but also by the fact that for the first time ever in an international event in New Zealand there will be a reserve list for two of the qualifying draws, let alone a full main draw in all singles, doubles and mixed competitions. There will be 21 nations represented by the 277 players in the tournament, as well as more depth than ever seen in an event in New Zealand."
    ...... the rest of the article, view in this link:
    http://nzbadmintonopen.com/2013/03/19/top-ranked-players-heading-to-new-zealand/
     
  5. zhuangcorp

    zhuangcorp Regular Member

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    Very interesting that Yu Yang is playing the XD event, although not with a big name player. I hope this means that Yu Yang will be playing XD full time from now on. Although I don't think there are any 1st team XD players to partner with Yu Yang. Chai Biao would be a good player to partner with her...but I think he's too busy with his MD. I'm surprised that China only has Xu Chen and Zhang Nan to play XD. Indonesia has so many XD men players.
     
  6. cobalt

    cobalt Moderator

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    It looks like CBA is following a plan to try out new blood, by pairing new and young players with more experienced players under different conditions, to study how the youngsters react and perform. I feel it's likely this "program" will continue for another 6-8 months, by which time they will decide on who to retain and promote, and who to relegate...

    It's clearly a transition strategy, IMO. The 2 other countries who are in a position to learn from this, are MAS and INA.
     
  7. zhuangcorp

    zhuangcorp Regular Member

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    I think they'll use this strategy up until 2014. They are looking for the best upcoming talents and the best combinations of players. Then they'll firm the pairings and maintain their ranking points for the Olympics.
     
  8. cobalt

    cobalt Moderator

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  9. phil-mm

    phil-mm Regular Member

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    Perhaps Ian McKellen, Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins may be taking a day's break from filming and lending their support to the sole English representatives in the pair of Tom Armstrong and Tracey Hallam?
     
  10. etudiant

    etudiant Regular Member

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    That's because Ina xd players mostly dont play MD well except for some like Kido and Hendra Setiawan

    I miss Hendra Setiawan and Anastassia Russkikh pair........They are so cute to be together as a team :D
     
  11. etudiant

    etudiant Regular Member

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    Oh gosh........Tracey Hallam is used to be good Eng ws players :eek:
     
  12. sen

    sen Regular Member

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    All of Australia open finalists except Sayaka will be playing in NZ.

    Xue Song will play in qualification again.

    Irfan/Weni is playing, I was wrong I thought Aus was their last tournament together.
     
  13. sen

    sen Regular Member

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    Ooops. Hendra/Ahsan also will not be playing in NZ. I guess they are playing in Axiata Cup. Simon will be in NZ so INA ms in Axiata will be Tommy and Hayom. Sony probably will still be resting.
     
  14. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Hope there's livestreaming for this event.
     
  15. george@chongwei

    george@chongwei Regular Member

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    Read from their FB that they will start live streaming starting from wednesday or thursday...
     
  16. Justin L

    Justin L Regular Member

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    Thanks,George, better than at the AUS Open. I guess they realized there's quite a lot of excitement about Tian Houwei and Xue Song. Good for the NZ Open, wish to see it upgraded to GPG when AUS Open becomes Superseries next year, makes it more worthwhile for the faraway players to travel to this part of the world, including for the spectators.
     
  17. cobalt

    cobalt Moderator

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    Talk about having a passion for the game!! This is an article -and interview- that is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand more about the trials and hurdles that many dedicated people need to overcome, just to keep the game alive and on the right path.

    This lady needs to be applauded, and she needs to know that we thank her for what she is doing. Read on...

    Event Director battles to keep NZ Open


    http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_...ID=13337&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=23063508

    Excerpts:

    ...Carrel, who as Julie Still was New Zealand's top player 20 years ago, laughs through clenched teeth when contemplating the losses she will incur and hurdles faced.

    ...But never fear, because Carrel is a "badminton geek" and specialist tournament organiser who is high on eternal optimism. With a treasured volunteer army at her side, she is marching on.

    And her battle plan includes gaining an even higher BWF status for the open to attract the world's elite players from next year. She talks to the Herald.

    Presumably, there have been a few sleepless nights?
    It doesn't pay to think too much about it or I'll have a meltdown. I do have sleepless nights and worry I'll get sick and not be able to carry on at this pace.

    Give us the number.

    On a shoestring it will cost $200,000 and if I don't lose more than $20,000 I'll be doing great. But I'm flying on the buzz of making it happen and I know it is good for our sport.

    ...TV coverage?
    Sky TV didn't want to do any live or delayed coverage - that took me aback because it wasn't going to cost them anything. I'm paying $35,000 on production and wanted a better return so I've got Cue TV on board - they'll cover the final day live. Sky then scrapped the 55 minutes highlights package, which I thought was a bit childish. The tournament will also go live to Asia on the final day and will be streamed. Streaming is changing the world.

    ...What about the Asian effect in Auckland?
    If you were here (Badminton North Harbour) on a Friday night, you and I would be the only Europeans. The Asians follow their badminton the way Kiwis follow rugby wherever they may be. They also love it as a family and social sport.

    ...Auckland City didn't come to the party either?
    The council was annoyed with Badminton New Zealand for cancelling last year. I asked them for $20,000 and said it was going live to Asia. But I got nothing so there will be no Auckland branding. There will be a US$750,000 tournament in Australia next year and not one cent comes from Badminton Australia. The money will be provided through Destination New South Wales. Amazing.

    What is your big hope for badminton?
    You can't be too insular about things but just more recognition would be nice.
     
  18. cobalt

    cobalt Moderator

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  19. ibelieveindevil

    ibelieveindevil Regular Member

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    the NZL GP event attract lesser good players this year due to it clashes with the axiata cup finals, that certainly sucks
     
  20. 2cents

    2cents Regular Member

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    New Zealand Open is so unfair for MS players in the qualification round.

    1) They have to play 3 matches in the 1st day. It's okay for double players playing 2 matches a day, but for single players, 3 matches a day! what a joke!

    2) Even more unfair is that, the winners from Q, have to play in main draw immediately within 2 or 3 hours. For both Q players, it's less unfair because both of them are exhausted, but if the other one is not a Q player, then it's extremely unfair for the Q players, which had already run out of gas before the unfair matches.
     

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