MEANWHILE, in another development. the International Badminton Federation announced on Wednesday that the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, will host the 2004 Thomas and Uber Cup championships while Tokyo, Japan, will be the host in 2006. IBF communications officer Lindsey Bell said the Thomas and Uber Cups, the world badminton body's oldest tournament, would see a new format with 12 teams competing at the final hurdle in Jakarta after qualifying through preliminary competitions in their continents in February. "In the old format, only eight teams which are divided into two groups will compete in the meet," she told reporters here. Bell said that with the finals being contested by Asian and European teams in recent years, Africa, Pan America and Oceania would be guaranteed representation in the finals for the first time.
Wolf in sheeps clothing Staronline- Oh oh, wonder why Europeans are reluctant to visit parts of Asia?
Great , as in Great Balls of Fire! Wonder what has happened to all those bleeding hearts, here we have governments interfering with the Basic Human Rights of their people to support their heroes, i'm sure in a democracy I should be allowed to wear t shirts of anybody I like, so c'm all ye human rights activists, stand up and be counted ! Stand up for Human rights!.
Yeah, great for them! TC is basically their for taking. Fair chance for UC as well, though their players are only mediocre!! Otherwise, would any players from other competing nations will be able to walk out of stadium alive?
hmm, this is about sport, not politics... who can talk seriously about democracy when the world's biggest power (USA) is governed by a religious fanatic anyway!!...
Seven, you must be very new here. Please avoid political or religious topics here. However, badminton like in any other sports, needs to ensure environmental safety for other competing nations just like the case of SARS. Thus, IBF should be wise in their decisions of awarding any nation the TC/UC host.
Yes, I'm new and I agree that sport and politics shouldn't be mixed up, that's what I meant in my previous message. I apologize if this wasn't clear.
Btw, this forum is hosted by the magnificent trio: Kwun, Cheung and Mag You may say hello and give them a thumb-up!
I am always more than a little worried whenever Indonesia hosts any major badminton tournaments. No disrespect to Indonesians, but I think they have to control themselves a bit more. No harm in screaming and shouting, but throwing things and spitting at players when they walk pass is way over. If it happens again this time for TC/UC 2004, Indonesia will have to be banned from hosting future tournaments. Unfortunate but that's how it is. Players are already under a lot of pressure to win for their respective countries, they don't need this abuse from unruly crowd.
Sorry for taking a dig at Human Rights busybodies, it was too good an oppootunity to resist. Maybe Ina can win the T/u cup without even playing, by default?Maybe other countries too frightened to turn up because of the twin terrors of hooligans on one hand and terrorists on the other?
I still remember TC/UC in KL where Indonesian supporters throwing plastic bottles from the top and gate crashing to our section and start standing in front with large banners and flags. And poor Danish supporters and others whom been yelled with all sort of abusive languages. I have seen big sporting events with fanatic fans but my experience at TC/UC in KL with Indonesian supporters put me off to go Jakarta this time.
2004 TC/UC in Jakarta is a shame would have been better in Batam, Sumatra! 2002 TC/UC in Guangzhou was great, hope 2004 TC/UC is just as good
Well, I see Indonesians are rather unpopular on this forum, I wasn't aware of that! Personally, I'm a men's doubles player, and I find Indonesian men's doubles are the greatest!! In any case, I hope TC/UC in Jakarta next year will be great, and if there is any security problem by then, they can always postpone it as they did this year for the WC...
By next year this could be a fiasco on a par with the SARS WC cancellation Terrorism, Human rights you name it ! 12 teams is a good move though, ENgland should be there
Please do not think so. No offence to Indonesians, but people here are rather concern with their hostility and current environmental stability (bombings here and there for the past 1 year! 0) There will be no concern at all, if they could be as good as China who hosted last year's TC. China lost to Malaysia in last year's edition, but the fans accepted the loss and the championship went on in a peaceful manner.
