Hong Kong and China autonomous in badminton

HONG KONG (JP): The Hong Kong Badminton Association (HKBA) and its players will continue to run under their own banner after the official return of the British colony to China in July next year.

HKBA vice president and team manager, Billy Kong Churk Hoi, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that "as far as HKBA and badminton in Hong Kong is concerned, everything will remain as it is."

Hoi referred to the 1994 Basic Law Agreement with China that ensures Hong Kong's participation in international sports after 1997, as a separate sports entity using the name "Hong Kong China."

The only exception is Hong Kong will no longer be entitled to take part in the Commonwealth Games since it will no longer be part of the Commonwealth of nations, Hoi said.

Hoi's remarks were confirmed by a vice president of the International Badminton Federation, Roy Ward.

Ward said that the International Olympic Committee and China's sports authorities had agreed to maintain the status quo. "The IOC president has made it clear that Hong Kong will maintain its sport's independence after 1997."

Hoi said that badminton is popular in Hong Kong. "Badminton has been chosen by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board as one of five targeted sports in Hong Kong," he said.

Badminton will have priority in terms of development and funding from the Hong Kong government. The other four primary sports are soccer, wind surfing, table tennis and swimming.

Hong Kong made it into its first Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals. And, although this year's host made an early exit in both the men's and women's events, Hoi said he was happy with the results.

"What is important is that they get experience," he said

He said he was particularly happy with his first-string men's singles player Tam Kai Chuen, who took a set before losing to Denmark's All-England champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen 18-14, 9- 15, 6-15 in their Thomas Cup opener on May 17.

Hong Kong has a long badminton history. The first badminton matches were played in Hong Kong as early as 1900. HKBA was formed in 1934, and in 1950 it was accepted as a member of the International Badminton Federation. (arf)