(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Inaugurated in 2007 the BWF World Superseries is a 12-tournament championships where top badminton players compete throughout the year for a place in the season finale.
Badminton cannot ask for something better when Dubai will host the $1 million MetLife BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals at the iconic Hamdan Sports Complex off Emirates Road (Formerly called the Dubai Bypass Road) from December 17-21.
On Wednesday December 17 the show of the world’s elite shuttlers (top eight in each category) will begin with the finals slotted for Sunday December 21.
From Wednesday to Friday matches start at 10am while on Saturday the semifinals begin at 1pm. The title rounds begin at 2.30pm on Sunday.
Ticket prices are indeed spectator friendly starting from Dh20 with those under 18 years entering for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Leading the charge to Dubai in the men’s singles category will be the reigning world champion Chen Long of China. Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen comes here rated second behind Chen. Big crowds are expected at the venue with the presence of a large number of badminton lovers and players in the UAE and the GCC for whom Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth (both from India) will be big attractions.
The fight for the top spot in the women’s singles will be much closer with Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan being the leading challengers.
Each country is not allowed more than two candidates which actually prevents China from fielding more high quality players who have the capability of being in the top eight especially in the women’s singles and doubles.
The $ 1 million purse for the Superseries finale this year is the richest ever prize money offered in the history of the sport. It is a culmination of 12 singles and doubles competitions open to all badminton players from the Member Associations affiliated to the Kuala Lumpur headquartered Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Inaugurated in 2007 the BWF World Superseries is a 12-tournament championships where top badminton players compete throughout the year for a place in the season finale.
Apart the 2014 showdown Dubai will also hold the event for the next three years.
The inception of the series adds a new dimension of competitiveness and stardom to the sport which are fundamental cornerstones for any sport to hold an edge in today’s globalised sporting climate the official BWF website says.
Hosted from January through to December each year the events are usually hosted in pairs in a similar region of the world.
By the end of 2010 it was determined that the series was ready to be taken to a new level of sophistication and thus a two-tier Superseries circuit where five of the twelve Superseries events were selected as Superseries Premier.
The Superseries Premier events serve up higher ranking points and prize money with the Indonesia Open offering a $750000 prize purse followed by the China Open valued at $700000.
Patronage and support
Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council the World Superseries Finals is part of a four-year partnership facilitated by Falcon and Associates with the Kuala Lumper headquartered Badminton World Federation (BWF). Sporting brand Yonex has been announced as the event’s official equipment supplier.
Thomas Lund BWF Secretary General said earlier this season: “Badminton is an exciting fast-paced game and there are no better ambassadors to promote the sport around the world than its top players.
“The partnership with Dubai represents a key opportunity for us to gain exposure for the increasingly-popular MetLife World Superseries in a growing market and align ourselves with Dubai whose global connectivity accessibility and track record in hosting world-class sporting events will make badminton accessible to more fans around the world.”
Shuttle Time Dubai
Dubai’s partnership with the Badminton World Federation has also seen the BWF’s grassroots programme “Shuttle Time” brought to the city.
Operating in 71 countries Shuttle Time encourages people from all walks of life to take up badminton.
Shuttle Time Dubai was launched in July and it saw teachers in 40 schools trained in how to coach badminton to more than 3000 students aged eight to 16. The schools were supplied with equipment suggested lesson plans and interactive learning material.
“Badminton is a sport that is open to everyone and there is already an active scene in Dubai” said Dr Ahmad Al Sharif Secretary-General of Dubai Sports Council.
“That makes it an ideal vehicle for us to promote grassroots development throughout our communities. The partnership with the BWF which was facilitated by Falcon and Associates provides us with an exciting opportunity to build on that interest to promote the sport to new levels and to develop grassroots initiatives such as Shuttle Time Dubai that will help to drive community engagement and physical activity across the city.
“The BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals gives spectators the opportunity to watch elite athletes competing for one of the biggest purses in the game. We encourage badminton followers as well as anyone who simply enjoys seeing world-class sport to purchase tickets and watch the tournament.”
Alastair Ruxton Commercial and Legal Director at Falcon and Associates who facilitated the partnership said: “The World Superseries Finals in Dubai will mark the first time that the event has been held in the MENASA region home to one of the world’s youngest and fastest growing populations. In addition the Superseries Finals will further add to Dubai’s impressive sporting portfolio which already includes a strong list of high-profile international events.”
monikhaleejtimes.com
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