Well yes it might be fair... but I still personally think they'd do better without that particular requirement. Especially when they make such a big point of it being only the "TOP eight players", you'd think they'd put more emphasis on actual ranking than the amount of tournaments played.
By no definition can they be described as the 'Top Eight' players. Perhaps, the 'Top Eight Tourers' or 'Top Eight Triers' would be apt.
Need the numbers.. ..can someone tally up all the points won by all the top 8 SS Grand Finale qualifiers, in singles or doubles events (if you guys know who they are)??.. As for the concept behind this format, well, should we be surprised? After all, it's the same IBF/BWF body which formulated the Thomas & Uber Cup competition system/format (until recently where they decided to amend it for future TC & UC tourneys). I think, in some way, i can see the reasoning behind this SS Grand Finale as it's geared towards rewarding those players who've participated and finished well in, at least, 8 SS events; not so much as to reward or put on display the actual "world top players". Kind of like trying to promote the Super Series. Points gained, by the players, from participating in those tourneys would probably justify their eligibility as well; although some players who've participated in more SS tourneys might not necessarily have more points than those who've participated in less SS tourneys. It might not be favorable to some or most of us, but it's an interesting system.
^^Yes..^^ ..(crossing fingers and toes)...it has materialized, FINALLY!!: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62254
Yeah that's exactly what I mean . The idea of promoting is interesting though ctjcad. I guess that could be one explanation for the ruling (regardless of whether or not I agree with it ). Of course, don't get me wrong! However it turns out I'll still be looking forward it!
It is called the "Super Series Finals", so top 8 here means the top 8 Super Series players. If you win everything else but did not enter a single Super Series event, you are a great player but it's hard to justify you being a top 8 Super Series player. They should remove the nationality limitation, but other than that, I think it's fair. Right from the start, everyone knows what the rules are. We can't help it if Lin Dan or others doesn't care about the Super Series.
I don't mean world ranking. According to the BWF site - Lin Dan is ranked at no. 7 in the Super Series ranking (that's what it's based on right?), so I assume that means that seeing as China has 3 players in the top they can choose which to send? Anyway I don't just mean Lin Dan, I mean if any player makes it to the top 8 in the *super series ranking* with less than 8 tournaments then why should they be denied a spot? Ok I suppose his ranking of number 7 includes the points he got last year too... So perhaps he doesn't qualify anyway... But lets say those tournaments were included - that's still only 6 - 2 less than 8! I really do think 8 is too high a requirement. Quality over quantity.
Oh, right. Besides the nationality limitation, I agree with you on this particular entry requirement. Me thinks as long as you are in the top 8 of the Super Series ranking, you should qualify. (I do understand why BWF would want to impose this rule. And also the nationality limitation rule. Still does not make it fair though.)
agree the rules made the tournament less interesting In my mind "The Grand Final" should be, - no limitation number of player for every nation. - no limitation of minimum number of tournament, as long as the players include the top-8, they should be qualify. - give ranking points when those limitation avoided
It's time for more professional sports managers to get involved in Badminton . As Badminton is becoming organised as a Professional Sport, professional Badminton players will need to be looked after by professional sports managers to attend to the 'Fine Prints in the Conditions of Entry for Tournaments'. Just have a look at other sports. Their professional players concentrate mainly in their trainings and matches. All other matters such as tournament entries, schedules, travels, accommodations, meals, etc... are organised/planned by their managers. It's time for more professional sports managers to get involved in Badminton. Our professional Badminton players need them. .
I think the ruling is pretty much the same as the old Grand Prix Finals of the 80s-90s era, except for these two ruling. The only criteria then was ranking points.
This does not augur well to the game. Imagine a Grand Final Super Series minus the great Lin Dan and other top players. They should not allow this to happen. To be fair, all winners of Super Series should qualify to play for the ultimate Finals...like see who is the Best amongst the Best! If the winner is less then the required number, then they should take the runner-ups...and so on to make it. Then everyone will be aiming to be champion to qualify for this ultimate ....championship. The criteria should change and not have to play all super series to qualify. Then if a loser always participate, can he still qualify to the ultimate finals? That would be real boring...I prefer champion playing against champion like the Tennis Masters...That will be cool...My dream player will be LCW, LD, Peter Gade, Taufik, Chen Jin, Top Korean players, Boonsak, Sony Dwi Koncoro...
We all misunderstood: The Super Series Grand Finals is for participants in the SS . mikeyapkf ... We all misunderstood... The Super Series Grand Finals is for participants in the SS. For example; The current top 8 MS in the SS Standings (as at 30-Oct-2008) are: 1. LCW 2. BCL 3. SDK 4. CJ 5. KJ 6. PG 7. LD 8. JP The current top 8 MS in the BWF World Rankings (as at 30-Oct-2008) are: 1. LCW 2. LD 3. CJ 4. BCL 5. SDK 6. KJ 7. PG 8. JP Source: click here Some top players elect to concentrate to win the World Championships. Some the Olympic Games Gold. Some the Super Series Prize Money. Some the Thomas Cup, etc... We cannot ask all our professional Badminton players to participate in all of them, even though we wish/hope for them to do so. For example, we have to respect Lin Dan's wishes, if he regards the SS Prize Money to be not as important/valuable compared to the World Championship Title, or the Olympic Gold, or for the Thomas Cup, etc... Our professional players can select what Titles/Prize Monies/Golds/Cups they wish to win. If they were to participate in all the events, it will become too hard a schedule for them. .
The reason why the 2007 Finals did not happen was because the main sponsor of the Super Series pulled out half way through the year. This meant that BWF actually paid the prize money for the last 6 SS events for 2007 and then the first few of 2008. I assume that a new sponsor has been found and is not only paying the prize money for this years events but will also sponsor the finals in December. I have no idea who the sponsor was that pulled ou in 2007 or who the new sponsor is in 2008
I will be camping for this, think the rule is fair... Anyway, any rule bound to have some people unhappy, no rule will make everyone happy. Can't wait for this Finale...
