BWF decides not to conduct qualifiers for Thomas and Uber Cup 2014 – Badminton News
Badminton World Federation (BWF) had to face the music in recent past for designing a hectic schedule of international events and this must have forced them to review their calendar of future events.
Now BWF has announced that there will be no qualifying tournament for esteemed team events Thomas and Uber Cup in 2014 and all contestants will be selected purely on the basis of world rankings.
The deputy president of international body Paisan Rangsikitpho confirmed that top ranked teams will earn their honour to be in esteemed team event as BWF wants to throw a fair chance to every country.
He said, “In future, the teams for the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals will be selected solely on the world rankings. They do not have to qualify from another tournament.”
Moreover, he also briefed that they are planning to introduce new format which will be announced on June 1, 2012.
According to reports, next edition of Thomas and Uber Cup Finals will comprise sixteen teams from all continents.
However, critics also have reservations on inviting low ranked teams as it may damage the significance of these tournaments.
Paisan Rangsikitpho admitted that they want to ensure representation of all continents to increase popularity of this game across the globe but he also mentioned that these participants will have to earn their spots in the Finals.
He said, “There will be some modifications to the format though. We want continental representation but their participation will not be guaranteed as they will have to justify their place in the Finals.”
Meanwhile, the BWF deputy president also stated that Association will ensure that shuttlers get enough time between international events to relax. He admitted that qualifying tournament was not an attraction for world class shuttlers.
Paisan Rangsikitpho said, “The qualifying tournament lacked quality. It also saves us calendar time. Players have been complaining that there are too many tournaments. We have looked into all this.”
Sudden pull backs of top shuttlers, to avoid over exertion, were also seen in recent past which made this event dull and boring.
Moreover, countries like China, Korea, Japan and Malaysia also raised voices against these unnecessary and exhausting tournaments.
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