Vountus finds new lease of life training with Razif

National discard Vountus Indra Mawan is proof that you can make a living as a professional shuttler.
On Friday, Vountus competed in his first international tournament as a professional player at the Macau Open. He and partner Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari emerged as Malaysia’s best performers in the Grand Prix Gold when they reached the men’s doubles quarter-finals.

The duo, however, could not sustain their form and went down fighting 15-21, 27-29 to Indonesia’s Alven Yulianto-Markis Kido.

The 23-year-old Vountus, who was dropped by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) two months ago, said that he had found a new lease of life after training with Razif Sidek.

“I had to move on after BAM decided to drop me. Fortunately, coach Razif had faith in me. I still want to do well in badminton. Hopefully, I can do better in the future,” said Vountus, who will have to find a regular partner soon.

Fairuzizuan’s regular partner – Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif – is on a short break after tying the knot recently.

Meanwhile, India’s rising singles players R.M.V. Gurusaidutt and K. Srikanth crashed out to China’s shuttlers in the semi-finals of the ongoing Macau Open yesterday.

Gurusaidutt lost 16-21, 17-21 to Chen Yuekun while Srikanth bowed out 8-21, 19-21 to Gao Huan.

BWF World Superseries Heading ‘Down Under’

Australia and Malaysia were today celebrating successful bids to host events in the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) World Superseries 2014-2017 tournament cycle.
While the Malaysia Open is already part of the ongoing OSIM BWF World Superseries, it graduates from a World Superseries event to the more prestigious World Superseries Premier level. Four current hosts of top-tier World Superseries Premier events – China (Guangzhou bid), Denmark, England and Indonesia – retained their status following deliberations by the BWF Council in Bangkok, Thailand.

Australia, on the other hand, joins badminton’s elite circuit for the first time as one of seven World Superseries events, ushering the Oceania confederation into the World Superseries fold as a host. Australia – which had bid for the World Superseries Premier level – currently stages a Grand Prix Gold tournament (the level below World Superseries) in April. The other six World Superseries hosts for the four-year period are: France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and Singapore.

The five top-tier World Superseries Premier tournaments promise to be more lucrative campaigns for winners, each with minimum prize money of US$500,000 (2014; 2015); US$550,000 (2016); and US$600,000 (2017). This is a significant boost from US$350,000 for 2011 and 2012 and US$400,000 for next season. World Superseries prize money will start at US$250,000 in 2014, rising as follows: US$275,000 (2015); US$300,000 (2016); US$325,000 (2017).

Meanwhile, China was not awarded two tournaments on this occasion as obtained previously and Chinese Taipei and Thailand were not successful with their bids. However, Thailand will have the honour of staging next year’s BWF World Junior Championships.

BWF Deputy President Paisan Rangsikitpho noted the World Juniors is an important tournament which has given badminton future stars. Among these are Olympic Men’s Singles gold medallist Lin Dan (World Juniors semi-finalist in 2000) and more recently Wang Zhengming, Victor Axelsen, Saina Nehwal, Lee Yong Dae, Tai Tzu Ying and the pride of all Thailand – Ratchanok Intanon.

‘Exceptional Contribution’ to Badminton by Thai King

“Unparalleled support for and a love of badminton” earned His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand his latest accolade.

Earlier this week, Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Dr. Kang Young Joong bestowed the inaugural BWF President’s Medal on the elderly Thai King for his “lifetime contribution” to the sport, spanning more than 50 years. The award was accepted by the Crown Prince at the Royal Palace in Bangkok on Tuesday to coincide with the BWF Council’s week of meetings.

“The President’s Medal is given to His Majesty the King for his exceptional contribution to badminton, worldwide and in particular in Thailand, and for his support to the exceptional achievements and contributions that Thailand has given to international badminton and to express our sincere appreciation for all His Majesty has done to promote badminton,” said Dr. Kang at a Press conference today in Bangkok.

“His Majesty is truly deserving of this accolade which has been given at the BWF President’s sole discretion - for a lifetime as an ardent protector and an enthusiastic supporter of Badminton.”

King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been continuously involved in badminton for more than 50 years. His Majesty has played the sport since 1953 and he granted royal patronage to the Badminton Association of Thailand in 1954. Over the decades, he has donated trophies for men’s and women’s badminton; provided badminton facilities for national players at the Palace and supported players financially through scholarships.

One of those who benefited from his patronage tremendously is Professor Charoen Wattanasin, the long-serving president of the BAT who is with us here today. The Professor was able to study in England thanks to a personal scholarship from His Majesty and he too has been a great servant of badminton.

“The BWF is pleased to have been able to acknowledge His Majesty with this unique honour,” added Dr. Kang.

“His influence and patronage have undoubtedly impacted the lives of many Thai players who have risen to be among the world’s elite, reaping rewards for themselves, their country and their beloved king.”

World Superseries Finals: Malaysia to have biggest representation in Shenzhen

Malaysia will have the biggest representation at the season finale BWF World Super Series Finals in Shenzhen, China, from Dec 12-16 – thus giving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) a huge lift.
World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying will represent Malaysia in the US$500,000 tournament.
Malaysia’s previous biggest representation was six in 2008.
BAM coaching and training chairman Ng Chin Chai said that the big number of qualifiers for the Finals was a “small and timely” breakthrough but felt that it was time for Malaysia to start winning major titles.
And he has his eyes set on the World Championships in Guangzhou in next August.
“It has been a reasonably good year for us. Of course, BAM are happy to have a huge number of qualifiers for the Super Series Finals. It is a testament of some changes that we have made so far this year,” said Chin Chai.
“We’ve been giving a lot of emphasis on sending potential players to international tournaments. The back-up players have also been given many opportunities to build the competitive edge in them.
“Things are falling into place for us. Most of our players have improved on their world rankings. The qualification of Daren and Thien How-Wee Kiong is certainly a bonus for us at the Finals.”
Daren is currently ranked 16th while Thien How-Wee Kiong are 15th in the world. Kien Keat-Boon Heong are also back at the No. 2 spot in the world while Peng Soon-Liu Ying are enjoying a career high No. 3 ranking.
Except for Chong Wei and Peng Soon-Liu Ying, the others qualified without winning any Super Series titles this year.
“Thien How-Wee Kiong are also lucky because some of the top pairs had split up and did not qualify for the Finals. It paved way for the Malaysians to move in. Still, it’s a good breakthrough for them,” said Chin Chai.
“Having a large number (of shuttlers) in the Finals is only a minor success for us. We want more players to win Super Series titles and we also want them to start winning major tournaments.”
Chin Chai said that he had thrown a challenge to his coaches and players to have the maximum qualification at next year’s world meet. The qualifying period for the world meet ends in April.
“Realistically, we can push our players to have maximum representation in four events – men’s singles and all the three doubles. We can have three representatives each if our players continue to raise their game,” said Chin Chai.
“The only problem we have right now is in the women’s singles. Except for Tee Jing Yi, it may difficult for us to get others to qualify for the world meet. Coach Wong Tat Meng is addressing the issue of lack of depth in the women’s singles.
“Ultimately, our goal is to have a player become the country’s first world champion ... we hope it’ll happen soon. This will be our target for next year.”
Courtesy of The Star

Coach wants Daren, Wei Feng to justify world rankings

LIEW Daren and Chong Wei Feng have consistently been improving their respective world rankings of late but quality performance is what national singles chief coach Rashid Sidek wants from them in order to become top class players.
A string of good results, including the French Open title in October, has seen Daren breaking into the top 20 and he is currently ranked 16th while Wei Feng, who reached the semi-finals of a super series for the first time in the China Open, is ranked 21 but Rashid feels they must produce quality performance to reflect their ranking.
Rashid said Lee Chong Wei justifies his World No 1 status by regularly winning international honours while Daren and Wei Feng have a lot more to prove on the world stage.
"There is improvement but their focus should be on quality performance. The world ranking is good for them in terms of earning better incentives but it is not going to guarantee them success on the international stage," said Rashid.
"Daren has won the French Open while Wei Feng managed to reach the semi-finals of the China Open but they need to produce quality results in big events. Despite their progress, we are still depending on Chong Wei when it comes to winning titles and Daren and Wei Feng must do more to change this situation.
"China's biggest advantage is that they have a great champion in Lin Dan while his back-ups are capable of doing the spoiler's job and they also have the quality to win when their top player is absent.
"We have to constantly work to get our players to qualify for semi-finals and finals, which will take the pressure away from Chong Wei and also improve Malaysia's chances of winning.
"China shuttlers have always complimented each other and the presence of more players in major events gives them a clear edge. If Daren and Wei Feng can progress fast, we can have three strong players to counter China.
"Next year's World Championships will be crucial as Chong Wei is aiming to win it and Daren and Wei Feng's presence in the event with true quality will help Malaysia's cause.
"China will be having the maximum number of three as well and Chong Wei doesn't have to be the only one capable of beating them if Daren and Wei Feng can also contribute."
Rashid said the duo will also be playing in selected grand prix gold events as winning super series titles is not be an easy task.
Wei Feng has yet to win an international grand prix title while Daren will be pushing hard to win more super series crowns after the French Open breakthrough.
Arif Latif is another player who has been showing good progress and is currently ranked 36. He has the opportunity to secure his first title in the Korean Open grand prix gold where he is the top seed.
Courtesy of New Straits Times

Top status for national Open

THE Badminton World Federation (BAM) has upgraded the Maybank Malaysia Open to a premier super series event offering total prize money of US$500,000 (RM1.5 million) beginning 2014.
The BA of Malaysia (BAM), which had failed in its previous bid in 2010 for a three-year cycle running until next year, will now see the Malaysia Open attracting a world class field as it is compulsory for the top 10 players and pairs to compete in the premier super series.
BWF, which made the announcement in Bangkok yesterday, also confirmed the Malaysia Open will replace the Korea Open as one of the Premier Super Series legs while the China Masters makes way for the Australia Open, offering US$700,000 (RM2.12 million).
The other four premier super series retained were the Indonesia, China and Denmark Opens and the All England while the India, Singapore, Japan, France and Hong Kong Opens have been maintained as super series events.
The Korea Open, which offered the highest total prize money of US$1.1 million (RM3.3 million) as a premier event, will become one of the seven super series events from 2014.
Courtesy of New Straits Times

Olympic scandal prompts rule revamp

The Badminton World Federation on Friday announced changes to Olympic doubles rules following a match-throwing scandal at the London Games, but said it would take no further action against coaches.
It said the new system, which will be introduced for the Rio Olympics in 2016, would "ensure such a regrettable spectacle is never witnessed in badminton again".
The BWF said that in the future, following the group stage, all pairs finishing second in their groups would be placed into a second draw to determine who they face in the knockout phase.
But pairs topping their group stage would have fixed positions equivalent to seeded placings in the knockout stage.
"This will eliminate any player's thoughts about actively trying to lose a match or matches, irrespective of other match results. Such a draw process can easily and effectively be made just after all group matches have been concluded," the federation said in a statement released in Bangkok.
Eight women's doubles players from South Korea, Indonesia and China were disqualified for trying to lose matches at the London Olympics.

The scandal prompted Chinese badminton star Yu Yang to say she was quitting the sport, although she resumed playing at the Super Series Premier event in Shanghai earlier this month.
In its statement, the federation said that the BWF Council had concluded it was "not legally feasible" to take further action against any coaches or entourages over the London Olympics case.
The federation noted that some of its member associations had already taken their own action, and said it had strengthened its own code of conduct.
The Korea Badminton Association initially banned two coaches for life but after an appeal reduced the suspension to two years.
The BWF also said its council had approved the trial early next year of an instant-replay line call system using cameras to show the exact place where a shuttle lands on the court. - AFP