My expierience as an IBF writer!
Hey guys!
As you all know, this is my first stint as an IBF journalist and reporter at the recently concluded Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Before I describe my experience, I just want to say that it's not all glamour and fun but lots and lots of hard work. To give you an idea, think of it this way. One's normal office working hours goes from 9 to 5, 8 hours. I was there for 11 days. 9 of the 11 days, I work from 9am until 1am. That's a 16 hours day. Besides badminton, there were weightlifting and boxing in the same building but I did not even have time to step next door to have a look as I was either always at the badminton hall watching the games, interviewing the players or at the media press centre writing up my articles, sorting out the photos and sending them to IBF.
Still, the amazing bit? I managed to talk face to face with many of my badminton idols, interview them thoroughly, get juicy details, get their autographs and also met lots of officials and other people like me who loves the game and have given a lot to it and received back in abundance. I have also managed to get Wong Mew Choo's shirt which she wore to beat Tracey Hallam in the mixed team final, unfortunately, also the same one where she lost to Tracey in the women's singles final. Also managed to get one of the English team's shirt..don't laugh but up till now, I still am not sure whether the shirt belongs to Gail Emms or one of the other girls, but definitely one of them!
I also managed to squeeze in some time here and there to do a very small amount of sightseeing, like the beautiful south bank by the Yarra river and also the infamous Victoria market.
Of course, I must also mention the great catch up session with the BC people in Melbourne, like Badfever, Twodogs, Maz, FEND, Loh, Kong-19, Kim and Hagene who I would never had got a chance if I wasn't writing the articles. I hope you guys had as much fun reading them as I did writing them. Here are some photos taken that I would like to share with you all.
Hopefully, this experience will be a launching pad for more assignments with IBF including the big six star tournaments and the Thomas / Uber Cup. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.
Last but by certainly not lease, all thanks and gratitude to Raphael Saschetat who made all this possible for me through his contacts with IBF. Thanks Raphy. I owe you one!
