Published on January 27, 2006

[BADMINTON] The Badminton Association of Thailand yesterday kicked off its inaugural Thailand Masters Professional Badminton Championships, allowing players to pit their expertise in the four-circuit meet and chase handsome prize money.

Chalermchai Bunyarak, acting governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, and BAT’s president Professor Charoen Wattanasin jointly presided over Thursday’s press conference at the Radisson Hotel.

Charoen said the championships will feature four circuits, with the opener taking place in Phuket between February 23 and 26. The second circuit will be held in Khon Kaen from March 16 to 19.

Rayong will host the following circuit during May 18 and 21, while the fourth circuit will take place in Chiang Mai from July 13 to 16. Each circuit will have a Bt400,000 cash prize.

The Grand Masters, the final round of the four-circuit meet will be held at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, with the qualified players vying for the top honours and the shared Bt1 million cash.

Participants must be registered players under either the BAT or the International Badminton Federation. The rally point system will be applied in the meet, where players fight for 21 points in three games. “This is a new chapter in Thai badminton history. It’s proof that Thai badminton has become fully professional. The IBF announced that from February 1, every tournament will use the rally point format,” Charoen said.

“I think Thai players will get an advantage from the rally point system. Each game will finish fast and players will not be too exhausted. The championships are held in line with our project Go For Gold, which will help improve our players’ chances to win a gold medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

“As for our performance in the recent All-England, staff coaches and players will get together on January 31 to share their view son why the Thai players were not successful – only the mixed pairing of Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkham reached the quarter-finals.

“We have to train much harder in preparation for future competitions especially next month’s Thomas and Uber Cups qualifications in India. I’m convinced our players will reach the Finals in Japan between April 28 and May 7,” he said.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

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