Anaheim will offer more than badminton at 2005 c'ships [font=Arial, Helvetica] Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta Post When people think of American sports, football, baseball, basketball or ice hockey might come to mind, while it would probably not occur to most to include badminton on the list. The United States, in fact, has in the past notched up some impressive achievements in badminton, becoming the world's first three-time winners of the women's team Uber Cup championship in the 1950s. It won the cup at the inaugural event in 1957 at Lytham St. Annes in Lancashire, England, defeating Denmark 6-1 in the final. After defending the title twice, the U.S. relinquished the coveted cup to Japan, losing 5-2 in the final in Wellington in 1966. The U.S. all but disappeared from the Thomas and Uber Cups until earlier this month in Jakarta when its men's team, led by former Indonesian star Tony Gunawan, qualified for the Thomas Cup, which was held concurrently with the Uber Cup. However, the International Badminton Federation's decision in 2003 to name the Southern Californian city of Anaheim to host the 2005 World Championships may provide the momentum to reinvigorate interest in the sport among Americans. "Badminton was a game among celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s when Hollywood stars played it for fun during their parties," the president of the Los Angeles Sports Council, David Simon, told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the recent Thomas and Uber Cups. The Chinese men's team grabbed the Thomas Cup that Indonesia had held for 10 years, while the Chinese women won the Uber Cup for the fourth time in a row. "The U.S. team performed well in the early contests of the Uber Cup but then our performance declined. I don't know why," Simon said. Anaheim will host the World Championships from Aug. 15 to Aug. 21 at the Arrowhead Pond stadium, the home of the NHL ice hockey team the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Realizing that the sport is not a big draw in the U.S., Simon said organizers also planned to offer an off-court attraction -- a visit to Disneyland. Simon said the travel package to Disneyland would be offered to spectators coming from outside the U.S., especially those from badminton's main countries. "Not only do we have Disneyland but spectators can also opt for a trip to Las Vegas," he said, referring to the gambling city in Nevada state, some 400 kilometers from Anaheim. Simon also said the event was expected to draw lots of spectators from Southern California's bustling Asian communities, in which the Asian badminton powerhouses are well represented. "We have large communities of Chinese, Indonesians, Malaysians and South Koreans. Their home countries make up the largest part of badminton players (in the world). "Their presence will create an international and exciting atmosphere during the competition, just like here in Jakarta," he said. Simon applauded the excitement created by the home crowd at the 2004 Thomas and Uber Cups at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium, during which local fans passionately cheered on the home players throughout the competition. The Denmark team said the Jakarta venue was the most exciting place to play, with the roaring home crowds, which is much different from the generally quieter European venues. Looking ahead to the 2005 championships, Simon spoke about the organizers' ideas for enlivening the competition. "I am planning to introduce pom-pom sticks and hand them out for free to spectators at the entrance gates." Simon also promises that all of the shuttlers would be granted visas to enter the U.S., which has tightened its entry requirements for male visitors from Muslim countries since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.[/font]
Isnt disney land, the opposite end of the country? Hope this is a turning point in the future of badminton. Like it or not, if the mass american market does take to badminton, then it could end up going like tennis. I also think they have tightened security on all nationalities entering the country as well, not just muslim countries. In the UK if you have a criminal record you need a visa.
Ahh! I guess we only here about the florida disney land, cause it is nearer to us. the power of the media is strong for the easily led!
Brings back happy memories when I last visited Disneyland in 1988 (?) with my two young boys. They just loved it when they shook hands with their favourite cartoon personalities and we adults enyoyed our short stay in Las Vegas in the casinos and the glittering adult shows. During that time, Anaheim seemed to be the only place where such entertainment could be found. Of course Disney later decentralized and migrated to many other cities not only in Florida but also outside of the US. I have also visited the one in Paris. You bet the tour agencies in Asia will capitalize on the World Champioships 2005 to market their West Coast tours to include such exciting places as the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, LA, Frisco, San Diego (dolphins ?), New Mexico and presto, Vancouver, BC! Maybe BFers can converge in Vancouver after the WC and have our own tournament!
Lol... good idea. The only problem is, instead of asking for 1 week of vacation time, now I should shoot for 3 weeks.
i suggest instead all Vancouver BF'er converge to LA to join all other BF'ers and we can watch, cheer, and play badminton together!!
We so need to show up with a big group and have a giant sign that says "BADMINTONFORUM.COM !!!!11!!1111" or something
yeah yeah, I like this! Bring hooters as well, three per person (one for each hand, the other for the foot) for maximum noise effect person. Need a coordinator to get everybody to hoot at the same time so the TV mics will pick them up. Paint your faces - you never know, you might be on TV and so need the disguise!!!!!!
cheung, if you come to watch the Worlds in 05 i will take you to a restaurant called Hooters.. its quite entertaining.
I also hope it will be a turning point for Badminton and hopefully BCBF! If the media is attracted to the fast game.. i think it will start a badminton boon in the states.. and maybe there will be more coverage and BIG prize money cmpetitions which will challenge tennis.
yeah, it would really be great if we could get a boost (i assume mainly from NBC's coverage). Face painting and kazoos are an awesome idea. hooters are too i guess
Sorry what are kazoos? Hope this contraption makes big noise. The Malaysian horn, made from coke cans, is hard to beat. The suggestion from Cheung is great. Only hope he can show up as the cheerleader with Mrs Cheung and Jnr. Then there is no problem playing three gadgets instantaneously! The media will certainly take notice. We must assign an important role for Kwun and Janet, of course. Can you think of anything super? LA is a good alternative but I just can't forget that sort of reception one gets at Vancouver, especially from Badrad and Co!
We used to have Hooters restaurants here in UK, but they have now dissappeared...what a sight it was...the er....decorations
Heyy i'm really shock !! can anybody tell me if all prices that i saw on WC2005's website are for one day or for all the tournament.. cuz if it's for only one day ... i think it's a bit exaggerate no??