China want back-to-back job Star Online PETALING JAYA: China have showed interest to host back-to-back Thomas-Uber Cup Finals. The International Badminton Federation’s (IBF) vice-president, Datuk Punch Gunalan, said that China were among three countries who are keen to host the 2004 Finals. China will be hosting the Finals for the first time in Guangzhou from May 9-19. “Besides China, Indonesia and Japan have also voiced the intention to host the 2004 Finals. “We will discuss the matter at our council meeting during the Finals in Guangzhou,” said Gunalan. Indonesia last organised the Finals in Jakarta in 1994 while Japan were the hosts in 1990.
Good. Let's hope it's not held somewhere else where teams will be too frightened for their lives to play badminton.
Huh? Such as where? I sure wouldn't mind if the finals were held in Europe though... After all, it's been over 20 years since the last time, in England, and before that it was in 1948-49! And it's never been held in Denmark... Wishful thinking, I know... But seriously, I think the TC/UC needs to increase its "brand power" in Europe... Sir Thomas himself may have been British, but judging from media attention here one could easily be led to think that it was an Asian tournament! The Danes aren't even televising it!
Indonesia is the problem country. If the Indonesians lose, the audience go wild and rioting is a real possibility. You only have to see the 1994 Thomas Cup. The security is basically crap. In Indonesia, the authorities would have to tighten security up big time, not just at the venue but also at the hotel. Do you remember the story why China never goes to the Indonesian open?
I agree. Even Lee Tsuen Seng felt threatened when playing in last year's Indonesian Open against Marleve Mainaky. He was quoted saying that "Luckily I lost, if not I might be bombed". The Indonesians are rather wild, thus foreign players and fans' will be at stake if TC were to be staged there!