KUALA LUMPUR: The world’s top badminton players, including from China, are expected to compete in the Maybank Malaysia Open 2012, presented by Proton, at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil from Jan 10-15 next year.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) deputy president Datuk Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid said the organiser was still waiting for confirmation from the players who join the tournament, which is part of the Badminton World Federation Super Series.
“Usually, the top players such as from China will be competing in such a tournament as they want to ensure they will qualify for the Olympic Games next year.
“However, we have to wait as the deadline for the tournament is early next month,” he told reporters after the unveiling of the tournament’s new logo at Menara Maybank, here, on Wednesday.
Also present were Maybank president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar and its chief marketing officer Adam Wee Abdullah, and BAM honorary secretary Ng Chin Chai and general manager Kenny Goh.
The tournament was renamed the Maybank Malaysia Open as part of the six-year partnership between Maybank and BAM which was signed in August.
The US$400,000 (RM1.269 million) tournament is being jointly sponsored by Maybank and Proton this year as part of the official transfer of sponsorship from Proton to Maybank.
The line-up for the tournament will be confirmed on Dec 8 and the draw to take place on Dec 27.
Wee said the tournament’s sponsorship was to complete Maybank’s sports sponsorship agenda, besides to promote its brand in the local sports arena.
“Just as how we have raised the bar for golf with the Maybank Malaysian Golf Open, we want to further enhance badminton’s prestige and reputation not only in the country but internationally together with Proton and our co-sponsors,” he said. — Bernama