No doubt prize money should not be the only or most important criterion for consideration as premier status. By right, the brand name All England should in itself command a premium for its long tradition, illustrious history, prestige and even nostalgic reason. But as a premier SS, one of its stipulations is it must meet the minimum prize money, before other factors come into consideration. Fortunately for now, the requirement is met.
So, I feel it is imperative that for the All England to stand out from the rest of the PSS/SS events, it must offer a sufficiently attractive prize money to enhance its intrinsic value as otherwise whatever premium qualities or special values the All England possesses may gradually erode over time as it is now just one of the five PSS events annually. In any modern professional sports,prize money, sponsorship and media (TV, Internet) coverage are the lifeblood for their survival and sustainability. In tennis,for example,each of the four Grand Slam tournaments, also called the Majors, command the most prize money, the highest ranking points and attract the most public and media attention. Likewise, for the All England to maintain its prestigious position she would have to do the same as, otherwise, the other majors will over time also gain in status to challenge or diminish the AE's historical advantage.
I toyed with the idea of having the All England to offer higher ranking points than the rest but thought it not feasible as it cannot be higher than what the year-end SSF is awarding on par with any of the five PSS. Still it's not an unreasonable or far-fetched idea. Actually, it would most certainly help if the All England also offers the most attractive, even record-breaking prize money in keeping with its stature. Just as important is for all the top players to want to vie for the AE title, so whatever that can ensure this is the case should be carried out and maintained for as long as possible.I'm afraid, for the AE to depend too much on its past glories alone is not enough. And for it to stand still in this fast-changing world we live in today is to risk stagnation and fade slowly but surely into oblivion; that's reality.
The fact that there is a call for the All England to be downgraded because it offers the lowest and below the minimum sum in prize money is itself a cause for concern. I don't think it's appropriate to compare the All England to the Olympics which though it offers no prize money but the gold medallists ( much less for the silver or bronze medallists) upon returning home to their country often get to receive very handsome rewards from their government/state and private sponsors/sector far exceeding any prize money imaginable from the SS events.
Frankly, those of us who still harbour fond memories of the All England and wish to see it take pride of place among the badminton tourneys would loathe to see it gradually reduced to the level of just one of the ordinary Superseries one day. Let's hope the BWF together with the organizer and the support of sponsors, players and fans all over the world would seriously think it worthwhile to uphold the All England as one of the most prestigious of tournaments for a long,long time. For that, a concerted effort is needed.
So, I feel it is imperative that for the All England to stand out from the rest of the PSS/SS events, it must offer a sufficiently attractive prize money to enhance its intrinsic value as otherwise whatever premium qualities or special values the All England possesses may gradually erode over time as it is now just one of the five PSS events annually. In any modern professional sports,prize money, sponsorship and media (TV, Internet) coverage are the lifeblood for their survival and sustainability. In tennis,for example,each of the four Grand Slam tournaments, also called the Majors, command the most prize money, the highest ranking points and attract the most public and media attention. Likewise, for the All England to maintain its prestigious position she would have to do the same as, otherwise, the other majors will over time also gain in status to challenge or diminish the AE's historical advantage.
I toyed with the idea of having the All England to offer higher ranking points than the rest but thought it not feasible as it cannot be higher than what the year-end SSF is awarding on par with any of the five PSS. Still it's not an unreasonable or far-fetched idea. Actually, it would most certainly help if the All England also offers the most attractive, even record-breaking prize money in keeping with its stature. Just as important is for all the top players to want to vie for the AE title, so whatever that can ensure this is the case should be carried out and maintained for as long as possible.I'm afraid, for the AE to depend too much on its past glories alone is not enough. And for it to stand still in this fast-changing world we live in today is to risk stagnation and fade slowly but surely into oblivion; that's reality.
The fact that there is a call for the All England to be downgraded because it offers the lowest and below the minimum sum in prize money is itself a cause for concern. I don't think it's appropriate to compare the All England to the Olympics which though it offers no prize money but the gold medallists ( much less for the silver or bronze medallists) upon returning home to their country often get to receive very handsome rewards from their government/state and private sponsors/sector far exceeding any prize money imaginable from the SS events.
Frankly, those of us who still harbour fond memories of the All England and wish to see it take pride of place among the badminton tourneys would loathe to see it gradually reduced to the level of just one of the ordinary Superseries one day. Let's hope the BWF together with the organizer and the support of sponsors, players and fans all over the world would seriously think it worthwhile to uphold the All England as one of the most prestigious of tournaments for a long,long time. For that, a concerted effort is needed.