TheStar PETALING JAYA: The qualifiers for the World Badminton Championships will be based on the world rankings as at May 19 but the seedings will be decided based on the Aug 4 rankings, which means there can be no let-up for the qualifiers. The world meet will be held in Los Angeles from Aug 15 to 21. The International Badminton Federation (IBF) have informed all the national associations regarding the new guidelines for qualification and seeding. Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Ganga Rao said they have received the new guidelines. “The draw for the competition will be conducted on the following day (Aug 5). The deadline for qualification will remain May 19. “It is a new procedure because, previously, seedings for the World Championships follows the qualification deadline,†he said. The new guidelines have certainly put a fresh perspective on the Singapore (June 27-July 3) and Malaysian Opens (July 5-10). The two tournaments will still allow players to jostle for ranking points and some fiery fight can be expected among the players to improve on their world ranking positions. The Sudirman Cup in Beijing from May 10-15 will be the last to offer ranking points counting towards qualification for the world meet on May 19 but it is not expected to drastically change the current world ranking order. Malaysia can look forward to having representation in all events in Los Angelese, if the latest world rankings are of any indication. Top Malaysian men’s singles player Lee Chong Wei, now ranked fifth, is among the six Malaysian men's singles players inside the top 24 bracket. The others are Mohd Hafiz Hashim (eighth), Wong Choong Hann (11th), Kuan Beng Hong (14th) and Roslin Hashim (21st). Malaysia can name a maximum of three players if all are ranked inside the top 24. If more than three qualify, it will be up to the national association to choose three. “Chong Wei and Hafiz will have to fight to keep their ranking positions in the Singapore and Malaysian Opens to get among the seeds,†said Ganga. “They have to reach the quarter-finals at least.†The same also goes for the top women’s doubles pair of Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty, who are currently ranked sixth in the world. Malaysia are set to have two women’s pairs in the fray for the first time, with the young pair of Mooi Hing Yau-Ooi Sock Ai currently ranked 20th. The Aug 4 deadline also means Malaysia can still look forward to having at least one men’s doubles pair in the top eight. Based on the May 19 deadline, Malaysia would not have any seeded pairs in the men's doubles. Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock are the highest ranked Malaysians at 12th, followed by Mohd Fairuzizuan-Mohd Tazari (15th), Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat (16th) and Choong Tan Fook-Chew Choon Eng (19th).
