AGM to discuss IBF HQ relocation

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