IBF not to force BAM to host finals

JAKARTA (JP): The International Badminton Federation (IBF) will not force the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to host the Thomas and Uber Cups final round next year although Kuala Lumpur-based Gold Bridge Engineering and Construction still holds the right to stage the biennial event.

IBF vice president Punch Gunalan said, as quoted by Berita Harian, on Sunday, IBF would leave the decision to BAM although the federation regarded Kuala Lumpur as the best candidate to host the event.

Kuala Lumpur declined to host the Thomas and Uber Cups saying it could not bear the fans disappointment should its squad succumbed in the event. Malaysia failed to reach the final four last year before the home crowd. (yan)