Badminton body to feature women's event in Asia Cup

JAKARTA (JP): The Asian Badminton Confederation's Executive Committee decided yesterday to stage a women's team event at the Asia Cup championship in two years time.

"The next Asia Cup championship, in 1999, will feature a women's event, with the same format of two singles and one doubles," said the confederation's secretary-general Punch Gunalan of Malaysia.

"We will also stage a qualifying round so many more Asian countries can play in the event," he added.

The interesting part of the three-man teams format is that only the best shuttlers represent any one country. It also makes the ties that much shorter than other team events, making it attractive TV viewing. The prize money is also good.

The ongoing Asia Cup, which is being staged for the first time, offers US$150,000 in prize money -- with $80,000 going to the winning team.

Gunalan said the committee has yet to decide the venue for the next Asia Cup.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia's Secretary-General, RAJ Gosal, said the confederation has a contract with promoter IMG to stage the Asia Cup in 1997, 1999 and 2001.

Gunalan said that the meeting also decided to send a strong letter to the Badminton Association of China.

"The ABC is very disappointed because China's withdrawal didn't reflect the desired Asian solidarity. The Asia Cup is the symbol of Asia's leadership in badminton," he said.

The confederation plans to stage six satellite tournaments this year, to boost Asian country's second string players.

"The first satellite event will be in Johor Baru, Malaysia, from March 12 to March 16 under the banner of the Johor Open International," Gunalan said.

That will be followed by competitions in Jakarta in June, in Sri Lanka and India in October and in South Korea and Chinese Taipei in December.

"Hopefully, we can stage 12 tournaments next year," he said.

The confederation will also stage the Asian Junior Championships in Manila, the Philippines, from April 7 to April 13.

"The purpose of the championships is to help our young players to attain IBF rankings," Gunalan said.

The IBF top 40 is dominated by Asian players but the lower rankings are dominated by Europeans. (yan)