By Jong Arcano Inquirer News Service ONE man's passion for feathers and strings has spawned a showdown of giants that will certainly put the country in the international badminton map. The biggest names in the sport of badminton, including Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, world champions Lin Dan and Zhang Ning of China and England's Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms, are coming to Manila next month for a unique intercontinental team competition. An all-star lineup of 10 players each from Asia and Europe have been formed by their respective mother organizations to dispute the MVP Cup, a blockbuster event being staged in honor of Manuel V. Pangilinan, himself a badminton buff who is head honcho of the sponsoring Smart Communications and its parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). The MVP Cup, slated on July 12-14 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, is expected to draw global attention through its wide mileage being arranged by the International Management Group. "This tournament exposes us to standards we cannot see and hopefully will inspire our national team members to become world-class athletes," said Pangilinan in yesterday's launch at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City. Playing for Team Asia are Lin Dan of China and Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in men's singles, Zhang Ning of China and Seo Yoon Hee of Korea in ladies singles, Chan Choon Ming and Koo Kian Keat of Malaysia in men's doubles, Sathinee Chankrachangwong/Saralee Thungthongkam of Thailand in ladies doubles and the Philippines' Kennivic and Kennie Asuncion for the mixed doubles. Team Europe will be represented by Bjoern Joppien of Germany and Anders Boesen of Denmark in men's singles. Mia Audina Tjiptawan of Netherlands and Pi Hongyan of France will be fielded in the ladies singles while Nathan Robertson and Robert Blair of England are taking the men's doubles challenge. Ladies Doubles bets are Tjiptawan and Yao Jie of Netherlands while the world No. 1 mixed doubles tandem of Robertson and Gail Emms of England will be a formidable foe for the Asuncions. Aside from the MVP Cup, the winning team will share a $50,000 bonanza while the losing side settles for $30,000. Also gracing yesterday's launch were Philippine Badminton Association vice president General Edgar Aglipay (Ret.), James White of IMG, Boy Martires, Ricky Isla and Julie Carceller of Smart.
Ticket price is very reasonable (PHP500 for the best seats), unfortunately, the whole tournament is on weekdays, we are so busy these days at work that we work even on weekends. :crying: I wonder if the tournament will be televised?
I have the Dream Satellite TV, we don't have solarsports. :crying: Anybody wants to tape the event and sell me VCD's or DVD's?
Let's see : Mia Audina vs Zhang Ning => Zhang Ning (1-0 Asia) Anders Boesen vs Taufik Hidayat => Taufik (2-0 Asia) Blair/Robertson vs Chan/Koo => Chan/Koo (3-0 Asia) Pi Hongyan vs Seo Yoon Hee => Pi Hongyan (3-1 Asia) Björn Joppien vs Lin Dan => Lin Dan (4-1 Asia) Audina/Yao vs Saralee/Sathinee => Saralee/Sathinee (5-1 Asia) Roberston/Emms vs Assuncions => Robertson/Emms (5-2 Asia) Most probable score : 5-2 for Asia Europe would need to win two more out of WS (Mia Audina), MD (Blair/Robertson) or WD (Audina/Yao) if they want to win. Both asian MS will be untouchable!
The Asuncions are training hard out of country (out of Philippines). Hopefully they can take one set if not the game.
Well! Likely that you would be a wittness for the slaughtering. I dont see any European MS other than Gade and Jonassen can beat Lindan and Taufik at least for this moment.
ants, just curious, you are originally from where? Malaysia or? Why you always travel across these countries?? what are you working as...
Exhibition Just take this as a exhibition games and create interesting spicy story between Taufik and new team mate Lin Dan, may be these two will finally figure out the common language to communicate(English, fingers, hand signs ...)
