Badminton event draws top international players

Michelle Chan. Photo / Richard Robinson

This year's New Zealand badminton international has punched above its weight with the list of entries confirmed yesterday.

After securing sports brand company Li-Ning as a naming rights sponsor, the March 31 to April 3 event at the North Shore Events Centre will have players from 30 nations competing, including one ranked in the top 10 and several in the top 20 in the world.

Badminton stronghold nations such as China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore will be represented.

As well, entrants from more exotic countries including Iran, Iraq, Peru, Switzerland, Turkey and Norway will compete.

Pui Yin Yip from Hong Kong will be the top seed in the women's singles with a world ranking of 10, followed by Dutch representative, Jie Yao at 15.

There are nine players ranked inside the top 50.

The men's singles has Hong Kong's Yun Hu at No 17, Muhammad Hafiz Hasim of Malaysia at 26 and Indonesia's Tommy Sugiato on 30.

The top two seeds dominating the men's doubles are Singaporean pairs and the Canadian pair of Nicole Gretter and Charmaine Reid are the top pair in women's doubles with a ranking of 16.

The mixed doubles draw will have a top four seed lineup from Hong Kong, Switzerland, Peru and Australia respectively.

New Zealand's best hopes may rest with Michelle Chan in the women's singles.

Chan has been based in Europe and recently won the Estonian International.

The relationship with Li-Ning guarantees Badminton New Zealand will host a US$15,000 ($20,500) event this year and a Grand Prix status tournament (US$50,000) next year.

The 2012 event will fall at the end of the Olympic qualifying period and therefore should attract a large pool of players chasing crucial qualifying points for the London Games.

Li-Ning's involvement in the sport in New Zealand is a $500,000 investment into the event and national squads.

They already sponsor the strong Chinese and Singaporean national badminton teams.

New Zealand entrants will warm up for the international by taking part in the large draw at the national championships this weekend at Badminton North Harbour.