BWF unveil new format for 2014 Thomas-Uber Cup Finals

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) have un­veiled a new format for the next Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, doing away with the regional qua­lifying tournament and increa­sing the number of teams from 12 to 16.
The qualifying competition received much criticism this year as hosts China, who did not need to compete in the tournament, participated in order to let their players gain valuable Olympic qualifying points.
In its place, the BWF have decided to implement qualification based on world rankings, with a minimum of three teams from Europe and Asia respectively, while the highest placed team from the Pan Am, Oceania and Africa region will be given a guaranteed ticket to the tournaments.
If the hosts are also the Cup holders, the additional place will be filled according to the team world rankings, which will be based on the rankings of the singles and doubles players.
These changes mean that Malay­sia, who are significantly lagging behind in terms of team rankings, may receive an easier passage to the Finals, provided world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei is still in the mix.
“Team events are fundamentally a reflection of the depth in development of the sport in each country and moving from a regional knock-out qualification process to world ranking determination will give our member associations an opportunity to adopt a long term development strategy,” said BWF deputy president and events committee chairman Paisan Rangsikitpho.
“This shift will also cement the Thomas and Uber Cups as an elite showcase of nations who have effortlessly nurtured their talents with a focus on sustainable development.”
The other change implemented will see the number of teams in­creased from the current 12 to 16 by the next tournament in 2014.
The 16 teams will be divided into four groups led by the Cup holders, hosts and the highest placed teams according to world rankings and quota regulations.
“This is a two-fold strategy because we believe the sport is ready to be taken to a new level of global exposure and we want to bring the highest quality competition to the audience,” said BWF secretary general Thomas Lund.
The decision to reformat was first taken at the BWF council last December and finalised during the council meetings in Wuhan, China, recently. The detailed new competiton regulations will be submitted to the council in December.
Courtesy of The Star