Skycity NZ Badminton Open Attracts World Class Field

Skycity NZ Badminton Open Attracts World Class Field

With entries closing off late last week, organisers of the SKYCITY NZ Badminton Open are able to confirm a depth of talent never been seen before on New Zealand shores and expect the tournament to create a great deal of excitement amongst the New Zealand badminton community and a splash worldwide through extensive global television and online coverage.

With seeding set to be announced on Friday morning New Zealand time and the final date for the field to be finalized being April 7, Event Director Julie Carrel is resisting a full reveal of some of the fascinating back stories for this event, but is clearly thrilled at the support the tournament has received, in particular from badminton power-house countries: China, Indonesia and Malaysia

“We will have some exciting stories over the next couple of weeks as the BWF confirms seeding order this Fridayand we go beyond the April 7 date, before which players can withdraw without penalty, albeit we do not expect any significant defections.

“I can however confirm that we have 22 countries represented with 24 players currently ranked in the top 50 in the world with 8 players having in recent times being ranked inside the top 10 in the world – and we are talking recently, not years and years ago. Add to that we will have a number of Olympic medalists and Commonwealth Champions; this is going to be special.

“After struggling to attract any players from China in 2014 due to a clash in tournament dates, we are delighted to confirm a strong Chinese team, including the prospect of four current world junior champions thrilling fans at the Events Centre over the course of the tournament. We have strong representation also from Korea, Singapore and Thailand in amongst the 252 players entered for the tournament.”

Much of the increased interest is due to the upgrading of the tournament to Grand Prix Gold status, a commitment that brings with it increased international exposure through live television and online broadcasts to a potential audience in excess of 220 million people in over 50 countries and a prize purse of USD $120,000, making it the richest badminton tournament ever hosted in New Zealand.

Badminton New Zealand CEO Joe Hitchcock does not shy away from the enormity of the task that the sport and the team led by Carrel have taken on but says they must do so in order to further grow the profile of the sport in New Zealand.

“This is our chance to be in the shop window, for the sport here in New Zealand but also for New Zealand as a country into some huge markets around the world and in particular throughout Asia.

“There are few sports that can match the appeal of Badminton throughout Asia, we believe the sport offers a tremendous opportunity to partner with trade, tourism and business to further foster and develop new relationships into those regions.

“We are continuing discussions with key government, trade and tourism agencies to fully leverage the profile of the tournament throughout Asia. There will be live television coverage around the globe, including our burgeoning trade and tourism markets in Asia, leading to some great opportunities for businesses and brands here in New Zealand to access a large viewing audience throughout Asia and other parts of the world.”

“At home the SKYCITY NZ Open gives us a platform to engage with our own media and to profile the sport and some of the best players in the world to our own young players, while giving our top players the chance to earn vital ranking points and international experience in their own backyard.”

Badminton World Federation Secretary General Thomas Lund sent his congratulations to the event organizers when attaining the new GP status last year.

“Congratulations to Badminton New Zealand and everyone who has worked to improve the SKYCITY New Zealand Open. We look forward to seeing the Auckland tournament on our global broadcast next April/May when it makes its Grand Prix Gold debut.”

Badminton New Zealand has signed a three year contract with the BWF and is determined to make the most of the partnership and increased status of their blue riband event.

“We are in this for the long haul, this is just the high profile aspect of what we are looking to achieve in the sport,” said Hitchcock. “We need to and want to engage with grass roots New Zealand and our Associations and create a pathway for young players to aspire to.”

The tournament enjoys the support of key partners, including SKYCITY, X-TRM, One Pure and ATEED.

SKYCITY NZ Open

Date: April 28 to May 3

Prize money: USD$120,000

Venue: North Shore Events Centre

TV broadcast: Sky Sport NZ and globally through IMG to over 50 countries and an estimated viewing audience of 220 million

Sponsors: SKYCITY, One Pure – official water supplier, X-TRM – official equipment and apparel supplier, ATEED

Website: www.nzbadmintonopen.com

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