Aziz (second right) addressing the media at the press conference as (from left) Ahmad, Abdul Hadi and Soh look on.
KUCHING: The Maybank Kuching International Badminton Challenge is fast becoming popular among the world’s top shuttlers that the event’s third edition has attracted World’s No 60, Lee Hyun II, to play in the men’s singles.
The South Korean veteran delivered the winning point for his country against China at the men’s team final in this year’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Lee shall have Malaysian challengers Tan Chun Seng at 70th global ranking, Zulkifli Zulfadi (73rd) and Zainuddin Iskandar Zulkarnian (93rd) as company during the main draw.
The state’s interest in the men’s singles lies in Eric Jong Zie Sheng and Clement Chieng Jia Yew but unfortunately, the two have been listed as reserves and would probably not be seeing any action barring mass withdrawal of those playing in the qualifying round.
“The response to the 3rd Maybank Kuching International challenge to be held at Stadium Perpaduan Petra Jaya on Nov 11-16 has been overwhelming – with over 30 local and foreign singles players forced to be put on the reserves list,” Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Hussain told reporters at a press conference here yesterday.
For the doubles, 41 teams were also put as reserves.
The 294 qualifiers are from Malaysia with 126 players, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia and Japan.
“We are very pleased with the good response from players all over the world. Hopefully this would encourage local badminton enthusiasts to come and watch the matches, starting with the qualifying rounds from Nov 11 onwards,” said Aziz.
According to him, a total of 47 players are competing in the main draw of the men’s singles while 31 are taking part in the qualifiers.
For the women’s singles, 23 players are in the main draw, and 16 in the qualifying round.
In men’s and women’s doubles, 24 pairs are taking part in each of the category’s main draw, while the respective 16 and 10 are in the qualifying round.
“In the singles events, we have 117 players while in the doubles, there are 74 teams,” Aziz said of the tournament, jointly organised by SBA and Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
This is the third consecutive year for this city to host the event, which is a Level IV World Tournament sanctioned by Badminton World Federation and Badminton Asia Confederation, and carries a total prize money of US$15,000 (RM48,000).
The top seed in the women’s singles is Chen Jiayun of Singapore, now ranked 48th in the world.
In the men’s and women’s doubles, top seeds are Fran Kurniawan-Agripinna Prima Putra of Indonesia (81st) and Rosyita Eka Putri-Maretha Dea Giovani (63rd), respectively, of Indonesia. Malaysia’s Jia Guo Ong-Lee Meang Yean are top seeds for mixed doubles, ranking at 83rd in the world.
Aziz noted that many of the young shuttlers taking part this year were in the world’s top 100 ranking.
“This event is important to these young upcoming champions because they can collect valuable tour points and at the same time, gain good exposure by competing against those from other countries.
“We would like to thank BAM, Sarawak State Sports Council, Social Development Ministry, JKR (Public Works Department), Sarawak Stadium Corporation, Kuching City North Commission and all sponsors for supporting us and striving to make this event a successful one,” he said.
Due to limited seats, SBA are limiting the entries by issuing tickets – priced at RM10 for qualifying round match and onwards, and RM30 for the finals.
Those interested are requested to contact the association’s office at 082-579 598 / 016-8938952.
SBA are also calling on the private sector and individuals to assist in sponsoring tickets for school children who can watch the international players in action, with the aim to encourage them taking up badminton as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Season tickets are also available at RM60 each and those holding season or sponsored tickets are eligible to vie for lucky draw prizes. Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites is the official hotel for players and officials.
Also present at the press conference yesterday were BAM administrative manager Ahmad Idris, BAM official and event manager Teo Kim Thye, SBA secretary Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir and treasurer Soh Theng Sai.