Malaysian Open falls prey to Asian crisis<\/p>\n
PENANG, Malaysia (Reuters): The Malaysian Open badminton
\nchampionships starting today have fallen victim to the Asian
\neconomic crisis which has cut prize money by US$60,000 and
\ndeprived the event of some big names.<\/p>\n
The smaller purse of $120,000 this year has made the
\nchampionship a four-star event, compared to its six-star status
\nlast year when it was worth $180,000.<\/p>\n
One notable country with top players missing was Indonesia,
\nofficials said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
"The Indonesian Badminton Association is badly affected by the
\neconomic crisis and that's the reason why they're only sending a
\nlimited entry," said Yap Tee Loy, an official with the Malaysian
\nBadminton Association.<\/p>\n
Its Indonesian counterpart had also decided to delay the
\nIndonesian Open championships, scheduled for mid in July, to
\nOctober and moved the venue from Manado, North Sulawesi, to the
\ncapital city due to the same financial problems.<\/p>\n
Top Indonesians like Hariyanto Arbi, Hendrawan, Joko Suprianto
\nand Indra Wijaya, who were part of the team that won the Thomas
\nCup this year, are not making Malaysian trip as they used to.<\/p>\n
Denmark is also without some of its stars but officials blamed
\ntheir absence on exhaustion after the recent Thomas Cup finals.
\nTop Danes like Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, Peter Rasmussen and Thomas
\nStuer-Lauridsen are not playing.<\/p>\n
That seems to clear the path for world number one Peter Gade
\nChristensen to make his mark in the tournament.<\/p>",
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