ENGLAND’S eight-strong squad today confirmed they had pulled out of the Yonex-Sunrise BWF World Badminton Championships, starting tomorrow in the Indian city of Hyderabad, over concerns about the English team potentially being a target of attack in the event of a terrorist act.
The decision follows media reports of a specific Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist threat against the Championships. Following those reports BADMINTON England felt the risk to the safety of the Team was one they could not take.
Adrian Christy, Chief Executive, said: "This was an incredibly tough decision and one we didn't take lightly. After the Olympic Games, this is the most prestigious Championships in the world but we were not prepared to risk the safety of our players, coaches and staff in what we felt could have been a very volatile environment.
“We are extremely grateful for the speed in which the BWF and the Organising Committee reacted to the concerns following the threat. We have carefully considered the comments made by the local police authorities and we know that they have the best interest of all competitors in mind.
“We have also listened to the advice from the Foreign Office and British High Commission. We have been in constant dialogue with them over the past couple of days.
“The conclusion is that safety is of paramount importance and therefore, with great regret, the team will be returning home immediately."
Ian Moss, the England Performance Director, said: “It is a disappointing outcome, especially after we had enjoyed a very good preparation at our holding camp in Doha, Qatar, last week. Our athletes were extremely well prepared for these Championships but, at the end of the day, personal safety must take priority over performance. This was a unanimous squad decision and is not reflective of the efforts made by the Organising Committee to create the safest environment possible for all athletes.”
The England squad is: Singles: Andrew Smith (Hants), Rajiv Ouseph (Middx). Doubles: Anthony Clark, Nathan Robertson, Chris Adcock (all Notts); Donna Kellogg (Derbyshire), Gabby White and Jenny Wallwork (both Yorks).
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tough World draw for England players
European champions Anthony Clark (Notts) and Donna Kellogg (Derbyshire) have received a good start to the Yonex-Sunrise World Championships in the Indian city of Hyderabad from August 10-16.
The 2006 mixed doubles silver medallists and 11th seeds will meet Misha Zilberman and Svetlana Zilberman of Israel in the first round. The English National champions should not be tested before the third round and a likely clash with fifth seeds Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen of China after the draw was made in New Delhi.
Nathan Robertson (Notts) and Jenny Wallwork (Yorks) received a first-round bye before facing a tricky second round against India’s eighth seeds Diju Valiyaveetil and Jwala Gutta. Beyond that 12th seeds Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezdaq Kostiuczykk of Poland should be next up.
England’s third mixed pair of Chris Adcock (Notts) and Gabby White (Yorks) face the toughest start against Korean 15th seeds Yeon Seong Yoo and Min Jung Kim.
Singapore Open winners Clark and Robertson, the ninth seeds, start their men's doubles title bid against German pair Kristof Hopp and Johannes Schoettler.
Robertson, the 2006 world mixed doubles champion, and Clark, who won a second silver medal in men's doubles in the same Madrid championships, are likely to face China’s He Hanbin and Shen Yu of China in the second round if they win their opener.
But the Leeds women’s doubles pair of White and Wallwork face a tough start against Indonesian 10th seeds Shendy Puspa Irawati and Meiliana Jauhari.
In the men’s singles National champion and European Circuit winner Rajiv Ouseph (Middx), the world No 24, has a straightforward opener against Nigerian Ola Fagbemi but is then likely to meet top seed Lee Chong Wei if the Malaysian, as expected, overcomes German Dieter Domke.
The draw was even tougher on world No 29 Andrew Smith (Hants), who must beat Denmark’s world No. 20 Jan O Jorgensen if he is to get a likely crack at Korean eighth seed Park Sung Hwan.
England had already suffered a blow before the draw with the enforced withdrawal of world No 12 mixed doubles pair Robert Blair and Scotland's Imogen Bankier. Blair (Leics) has a tendon injury and Glasgow's Bankier a knee injury which will keep her out until the autumn. Blair's injury also ruled him out of men's doubles with Adcock where they are also No 12 in the world.
By coincidence Bankier was trying to phone Blair with her bad news when he was trying to get in touch with her about his setback.
The 2006 mixed doubles silver medallists and 11th seeds will meet Misha Zilberman and Svetlana Zilberman of Israel in the first round. The English National champions should not be tested before the third round and a likely clash with fifth seeds Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen of China after the draw was made in New Delhi.
Nathan Robertson (Notts) and Jenny Wallwork (Yorks) received a first-round bye before facing a tricky second round against India’s eighth seeds Diju Valiyaveetil and Jwala Gutta. Beyond that 12th seeds Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezdaq Kostiuczykk of Poland should be next up.
England’s third mixed pair of Chris Adcock (Notts) and Gabby White (Yorks) face the toughest start against Korean 15th seeds Yeon Seong Yoo and Min Jung Kim.
Singapore Open winners Clark and Robertson, the ninth seeds, start their men's doubles title bid against German pair Kristof Hopp and Johannes Schoettler.
Robertson, the 2006 world mixed doubles champion, and Clark, who won a second silver medal in men's doubles in the same Madrid championships, are likely to face China’s He Hanbin and Shen Yu of China in the second round if they win their opener.
But the Leeds women’s doubles pair of White and Wallwork face a tough start against Indonesian 10th seeds Shendy Puspa Irawati and Meiliana Jauhari.
In the men’s singles National champion and European Circuit winner Rajiv Ouseph (Middx), the world No 24, has a straightforward opener against Nigerian Ola Fagbemi but is then likely to meet top seed Lee Chong Wei if the Malaysian, as expected, overcomes German Dieter Domke.
The draw was even tougher on world No 29 Andrew Smith (Hants), who must beat Denmark’s world No. 20 Jan O Jorgensen if he is to get a likely crack at Korean eighth seed Park Sung Hwan.
England had already suffered a blow before the draw with the enforced withdrawal of world No 12 mixed doubles pair Robert Blair and Scotland's Imogen Bankier. Blair (Leics) has a tendon injury and Glasgow's Bankier a knee injury which will keep her out until the autumn. Blair's injury also ruled him out of men's doubles with Adcock where they are also No 12 in the world.
By coincidence Bankier was trying to phone Blair with her bad news when he was trying to get in touch with her about his setback.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Bonanza boost for BADMINTON England and Yehlex UK
BADMINTON England today announced a bumper domestic badminton sponsorship with racket and equipment suppliers Yehlex UK.
The agreement was signed at the National Badminton Centre by Ian Little, Managing Director of Yehlex UK, and Darren Parks, BADMINTON England's Head of Competitions and Events.
The major event in the new agreement is the annual Yehlex Birmingham Badminton Bonanza, which will be held this year on the weekend of August 8-9. For two days grass-roots badminton players of all ages and all standards will converge on Birmingham's National Indoor Arena - home of the All England Open Championships, the world's No. 1 tournament - to learn how to improve their game or simply to try their hand at badminton for the first time.
BADMINTON England and Yehlex coaches will be on hand throughout the weekend to offer top-class instruction in the biggest event for grass-roots players in the country.
The sponsorship also extends to the Yehlex Bonanza Franchises, which enable centres around the country to run their own Bonanza for grass-root players.
But another cornerstone of the new agreement is the continued sponsorship of the Yehlex Veterans' Inter-County Championships for a 20th consecutive year, making it one of the longest running domestic sponsorships in UK badminton.
The Gateshead-based company will also continue to sponsor the Yehlex National Veterans Championships, which this year will be at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes from Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 7.
Darren Parks said: "We are delighted to agree a new deal with Yehlex UK. Ian Little has been a tremendous supporter of grass-roots badminton over the years, not just in his native Durham but throughout the country.
"The fact that this year will mark the 20th Yehlex Veterans' Inter-County Championships illustrates his special commitment to Veterans badminton and reflects how our sport is not just for youngsters and Elite competitors but for badminton players of all ages."
Ian Little said: "My company is delighted to be able to continue our support of domestic badminton, especially in this difficult economic climate.
"For me the Bonanzas are an excellent way of promoting grass-roots badminton. Clubs in many areas are suffering a decline in membership, but the Bonanza concept can help to attract new members by making players realise that both playing the game and the competitive element can be fun.
"The atmosphere at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena is very special. That is why players come back year after year. It's a great weekend and I'm already looking forward to it - even though it's my birthday that weekend and I will be working instead of celebrating!"
The agreement was signed at the National Badminton Centre by Ian Little, Managing Director of Yehlex UK, and Darren Parks, BADMINTON England's Head of Competitions and Events.
The major event in the new agreement is the annual Yehlex Birmingham Badminton Bonanza, which will be held this year on the weekend of August 8-9. For two days grass-roots badminton players of all ages and all standards will converge on Birmingham's National Indoor Arena - home of the All England Open Championships, the world's No. 1 tournament - to learn how to improve their game or simply to try their hand at badminton for the first time.
BADMINTON England and Yehlex coaches will be on hand throughout the weekend to offer top-class instruction in the biggest event for grass-roots players in the country.
The sponsorship also extends to the Yehlex Bonanza Franchises, which enable centres around the country to run their own Bonanza for grass-root players.
But another cornerstone of the new agreement is the continued sponsorship of the Yehlex Veterans' Inter-County Championships for a 20th consecutive year, making it one of the longest running domestic sponsorships in UK badminton.
The Gateshead-based company will also continue to sponsor the Yehlex National Veterans Championships, which this year will be at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes from Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 7.
Darren Parks said: "We are delighted to agree a new deal with Yehlex UK. Ian Little has been a tremendous supporter of grass-roots badminton over the years, not just in his native Durham but throughout the country.
"The fact that this year will mark the 20th Yehlex Veterans' Inter-County Championships illustrates his special commitment to Veterans badminton and reflects how our sport is not just for youngsters and Elite competitors but for badminton players of all ages."
Ian Little said: "My company is delighted to be able to continue our support of domestic badminton, especially in this difficult economic climate.
"For me the Bonanzas are an excellent way of promoting grass-roots badminton. Clubs in many areas are suffering a decline in membership, but the Bonanza concept can help to attract new members by making players realise that both playing the game and the competitive element can be fun.
"The atmosphere at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena is very special. That is why players come back year after year. It's a great weekend and I'm already looking forward to it - even though it's my birthday that weekend and I will be working instead of celebrating!"
Adcock and Blair left to fight on in Malaysia
Robert Blair and Chris Adcock are England's last hopes at the Yonex Sunrise Malaysia Open Grand Prix event in Johor Bharu.
The fourth men's doubles seeds began their challenge with a hard-fought 12-21 21-15 21-13 win over Thailand's Patiphat Chalardchalaem and Nuttaphon Narkthong. In tonight's second round they face Japan's Hirokatsu Kashimoto and Noriyasu Hirata.
But there was disappointment for Adcock and Gabby White in the mixed doubles second round where the fourth seeds went down 21-18 21-9 to China's Zhang Nan and Pan Pan after leading 13-10 in the first game.
English National champion and 11th seed Rajiv Ouseph fell in the men's singles third round. But the world No 26 made another good showing against sixth seed and world No 21 Andrew Kurniawan Tedjono of Indonesia before losing 21-16 21-17.
The fourth men's doubles seeds began their challenge with a hard-fought 12-21 21-15 21-13 win over Thailand's Patiphat Chalardchalaem and Nuttaphon Narkthong. In tonight's second round they face Japan's Hirokatsu Kashimoto and Noriyasu Hirata.
But there was disappointment for Adcock and Gabby White in the mixed doubles second round where the fourth seeds went down 21-18 21-9 to China's Zhang Nan and Pan Pan after leading 13-10 in the first game.
English National champion and 11th seed Rajiv Ouseph fell in the men's singles third round. But the world No 26 made another good showing against sixth seed and world No 21 Andrew Kurniawan Tedjono of Indonesia before losing 21-16 21-17.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Two wins for Ouseph on day one in Malaysia
English National champion and world No 26 Rajiv Ouseph produced two wins on days one of the Yonex Sunrise Malaysia Open Grand Prix in Joho Bharu today to reach the last 16 of the men's singles.
Eleventh seed Ouseph (Middx) defeated Vietnam's Ngoc Tung Nguyen 21-14 21-10 in the first round in just 17 minutes. Then he saved a match point in the second game before coming from behind to beat Malaysia's Kwong Beng Chan 13-21 22-20 21-16 in 55 minutes in the second round of the 64-strong draw.
In the third round he will face sixth seed Andre Kurniawan Tedjono of Indonesia.
But Andrew Smith's hopes of joining him in the third round were dashed when he lost the closest of contests with Malaysia's Kay Bin Yeoh.
Hampshire's No 7 seed went down 25-23 22-20 despite holding five game points in the first game.
Smith had been taken to three games in his opening contest against Malaysian Kam Chung Kuan before winning 19-21 21-19 21-12.
Carl Baxter, fit again after being forced to retire injured in the qualifying rounds of last week's Djarum Indonesia Open, also fell in the second round. The Avon-based 15th seed won his opening match by defeating Malaysia's Zairul Hafiz Zainuddin 21-19 21-15 in 27 minutes. But he lost his second-round contest with China's Du Pengyu 21-10 21-14.
Fourth seeds Chris Adcock (Notts) and Gabby White (Yorks) got off to a winning start in the mixed doubles by beating Japan's Katsuhito Sakurai and Yu Wakita 21-16 2-10 in just 23 minutes, taking the contest on their first match point. That earned them a second-round clash tomorrow night with China's Nan Zhang and Pan Pan.
Adcock is also in men's doubles action tomorrow when he and Robert Blair (Leics), the fourth seeds, face Thailand's Patiphat Chalardchalaem and Nuttaphon Narkthong. They will play again later in the evening if they win their opener.
Eleventh seed Ouseph (Middx) defeated Vietnam's Ngoc Tung Nguyen 21-14 21-10 in the first round in just 17 minutes. Then he saved a match point in the second game before coming from behind to beat Malaysia's Kwong Beng Chan 13-21 22-20 21-16 in 55 minutes in the second round of the 64-strong draw.
In the third round he will face sixth seed Andre Kurniawan Tedjono of Indonesia.
But Andrew Smith's hopes of joining him in the third round were dashed when he lost the closest of contests with Malaysia's Kay Bin Yeoh.
Hampshire's No 7 seed went down 25-23 22-20 despite holding five game points in the first game.
Smith had been taken to three games in his opening contest against Malaysian Kam Chung Kuan before winning 19-21 21-19 21-12.
Carl Baxter, fit again after being forced to retire injured in the qualifying rounds of last week's Djarum Indonesia Open, also fell in the second round. The Avon-based 15th seed won his opening match by defeating Malaysia's Zairul Hafiz Zainuddin 21-19 21-15 in 27 minutes. But he lost his second-round contest with China's Du Pengyu 21-10 21-14.
Fourth seeds Chris Adcock (Notts) and Gabby White (Yorks) got off to a winning start in the mixed doubles by beating Japan's Katsuhito Sakurai and Yu Wakita 21-16 2-10 in just 23 minutes, taking the contest on their first match point. That earned them a second-round clash tomorrow night with China's Nan Zhang and Pan Pan.
Adcock is also in men's doubles action tomorrow when he and Robert Blair (Leics), the fourth seeds, face Thailand's Patiphat Chalardchalaem and Nuttaphon Narkthong. They will play again later in the evening if they win their opener.
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