IBF to stage first Super Series in 1999

JAKARTA (JP): The International Badminton Federation plans to stage its first Super Series in 1999 but has yet to decide which countries will host the event.

IBF vice president, Dato Punch Gunalan, said yesterday that the federation had written to all Grand Prix series host countries but only 10 replied.

"The 10 countries are Indonesia, China, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan in Asia, England, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in Europe and the United States of America. But the IBF will only select between five and seven countries," Gunalan said.

The other host countries are Chinese Taipei, India, Sweden, Poland, Singapore, Russia, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.

"The IBF was a little surprised by the response. The host country of the Super Series will have to provide a minimum US$250,000," Gunalan said.

"The Super Series will also have special ranking points which will be bigger than those of regular Grand Prix series to attract better players."

"The purpose of staging the Super Series, similar to a tennis Grand Slam, is to upgrade the image of badminton in the world and to attract sponsors, media coverage and a greater audience," he said.

Gunalan said only world ranking players can qualify for the Super Series.

"But even if they win many tournaments in their continent, they have to compete in at least one tournament in another continent," he said.

Gunalan said that shuttlers competing in the Super Series would also be required to attend the press conference and the federation was currently working on regulations to enforce this.

"So far, many Asian players have declined to talk to journalists and it has caused problems. But with the new regulations we can punish them, maybe by cutting their prize money," he said.

"We all want to be more professional, including the players. We want to learn from tennis and golf which are very professional in staging any event," he added. (yan)