KEY POINTS:
New Zealand badminton is increasingly coming under the sway of Malaysia - but you'll find no protests against foreign interference from shuttlecock circles.
The New Zealand Open begins in Auckland tomorrow with its US$50,000 purse provided by the Kuala Lumpur Rackets Club - the same body which sponsors three of New Zealand's leading players, including triple Commonwealth Games and world championships medallist Dan Shirley.
Add to that the fact that Shirley has now formed a mixed doubles partnership with Malaysian Joanne Quay and the depth of the Malaysian relationship can be seen.
Shirley formerly partnered Sara Runesten Petersen who became one of the most recognisable faces of New Zealand badminton. When she decided to return to her native Scandinavia, most wondered what Shirley would do.
He and Quay now have a world ranking of 14, after some recent success at tournaments and will be the top seeds in Auckland.
It had been the norm to play only with someone from your own nation and still is in the Commonwealth Games. However, a loosening of the international rules and the fact the world championships are being played in Kuala Lumpur in August means the Malaysians are willing to give up one of their spots in the world championships to a mixed nation combination. They see Shirley and Quay as a medal prospect.
Having an overseas club effect-ively bankroll the New Zealand Open and, in part, the sport in this country doesn't worry Badminton NZ boss Peter Dunne. "We are delighted to have the KLRC as a partner - not only as a sponsor of the New Zealand Open but also with assistance with three of our top athletes: Dan Shirley, Rachel Hindley and John Moody.
"New Zealand is a small country with a limited amount of commercial sponsorship. For a sport such as badminton, where our profile is low compared to overseas, it is not surprising we have offshore investors.
"We are an Olympic sport and actually the fifth-most popular sport in the world, so it makes sense that we have offshore interest.
"Also helping New Zealand's case is that we are establishing a good profile around the world through Dan and Sara's results of the past few years and the success of the NZ Open," says Dunne.
KLRC owner Dato Sri Andrew Kam says there is no ulterior motive for sponsoring the tournament.
"I love the sport and helping out a nation which is already progressing well and just needs a few more resources to excel," he says.
The tournament starts on Monday with the finals on Sunday. World No 6 Hongyan Pi - the Chinese-born Frenchwoman - will be the top seed in the women's draw, while Melbourne Commonwealth Games singles gold medalist, Tracey Hallam from England has also entered.
The tournament comprising 170 players from 26 nations has the depth and talent which puts it as, arguably, the best to be held here.
