AGM to discuss IBF HQ relocation

JAKARTA: The possibility of relocating the International Badminton Federation's head office to Singapore will be discussed at the IBF's annual general meeting, which will be held concurrently with the Thomas and Uber Cups, an IBF official said here on Thursday.

"We are lobbying intensively to have that plan realized," IBF executive board member Punch Gunalan of Malaysia said, adding that there had been progress on the plan.

Last year, Gunalan said that the cost of maintaining the IBF head office in Europe was high, whereas moving it to a country that had lower costs would enable the IBF to use the money saved to develop badminton in areas where the sport was less popular.

He said that by being headquartered in a country with lower costs, the US$1 million from the International Olympic Committee could be used more effectively for badminton development on all five continents. --JP