New Badminton tournament: The 2012 Axiata Cup

Discussion in 'Axiata Cup 2012' started by chris-ccc, Feb 5, 2012.

  1. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    Found that there could be a new tournament, the Axiata Cup, to be included in the BWF tournament calendar in 2012:

    http://www.bwfbadminton.org/tournamentcalendar_event.aspx?id=14485&calendarid=103

    Some interesting proposals for this league format tournament;

    * Round Robin matches will be played in Malaysia and Indonesia.
    * League format shall be divided into 2 groups.
    * League format shall be played over 3 weekends.
    * League is an invitational tournament for South-east Asian nations.
    * Prize money of US$1m to attract the best players/teams.
    * All TV and non-exclusive Broadband & Mobile rights are available.
    * Top teams based on BWF ranking will be seeded in each group.
    * Round Robin matches will be played on 3 days; each match consists of 3 ties (2 Singles and 1 Doubles).

    The first weekend scheduled for this tournament is 2012 March 23rd–25th (Friday–Sunday).

    For more info: http://www.totalsportsasia.com/Files/MediaCatalogue/TV_MAIN_CATALOGUE.pdf
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  2. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    BAM await more details on Axiata Cup tournament

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    BAM await more details on Axiata Cup tournament

    Source: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/2/5/sports/10680855&sec=sports

    ====== * ====== part of article ====== * ======

    Sunday February 5, 2012

    KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will wait for more details before confirming their participation in the new invitational badminton tournament – the Axiata Cup.

    Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching and training chairman Ng Chin Chai said that they had no knowledge of the format or rules for the new competition, which is sanctioned by the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC).

    It is learnt that the Axiata Cup is a team competition – comprising two singles and one doubles pair – for Asian countries. The organisers are offering lucrative prize money to attract top badminton shuttlers and whip up fan interest.

    The event is already scheduled in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) calendar on these dates – March 23-25, March 31-April 2 and April 13-15. The competition is expected to be held at two venues – in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

    More details are likely to be announced when the tournament is launched on Wednesday.

    Chin Chai said Malaysia would only decide on their participation after the launch.

    “Our general manager (Kenny Goh) was approached last year about this event but we do not have any details about it. I would rather wait for the rules and regulations before deciding on our team’s participation,” he said.

    It is a novel idea, although the timing is questionable – coming at a time when the top players are busy trying to rake in ranking points for the Olympic Games in London.

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  3. CLELY

    CLELY Regular Member

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    Indeed, all top players are busy to collect Oympic qualifying points since the deadline will be ended pretty soon 29th April ;)
     
  4. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    Waiting for BWF to announce the ranking points to be awarded for the 2012 Axiata Cup

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    Waiting for BWF to announce the ranking points to be awarded to participating players at this 2012 Axiata Cup.

    It is certain that if the ranking points are not attractive enough, then top players won't be interested in participating in it.
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  5. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    The 2012 Axiata Cup: The winning team will receive US$400,000

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    Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) deputy president Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid said the country’s elite players, including world number one Lee Chong Wei, and players from clubs would take part in the 2012 Axiata Cup.

    Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2012/02/08/axiata-cup-to-offer-rm3-3m-in-prize-money/

    ====== * ====== article ====== * ======

    Axiata Cup to offer RM3.3m in prize money

    February 8, 2012

    KUALA LUMPUR: The inaugural Axiata Cup, an invitational badminton tournament sanctioned by the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) will offer USD1 million (RM3.03 million) in prize money.

    Sponsored by the Axiata Group Bhd, the tournament to be held at two venues – Malaysia and Indonesia – will feature a men’s team competition comprising two singles and a doubles match.

    The competition, expected to start on March 23 and last for four weeks, is expected to feature all the top players in the world.

    Southeast Asian teams, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines are expected to be divided into eight groups.

    Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) deputy president Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid said the country’s elite players, including world number one Lee Chong Wei, and players from clubs would take part in the competition.

    “The format of the Axiata Cup is slightly different from other tournaments since teams can include one player from other countries like China or Denmark even though the tournament is restricted to Asean countries.

    “This tournament provides an opportunity for players from clubs, especially players like Zulfadli Zulkifli, a chance to showcase their talent,” Axiata chief executive officer Jamaludin Ibrahim told reporters after launching the tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.

    Meanwhile, Total Sports Asia chief executive officer Marcus Leur said Malaysia and Indonesia would enter two teams each.

    “The semi-finals and final will be played on a home and away format. Each tie between teams will feature three matches – two singles and a double. The unique feature is that each team is allowed to field one foreign player in the form of a singles player or part of the doubles team,” he said.

    Leur said after the group stages, the two top teams from each group would play a home and away format in the semifinals on separate weekends and the final would be held in the same home and away format.

    “The winning team will receive US$400,000 (RM1.21 million), second place US$200,000 (RM605,634), each of the two losing semi-finalists US$100,000 (RM302,817) and each of the four quarterfinalists receive US$50,000 (RM151,408),” he said.

    - Bernama

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    This is good news; It will provide independent players with good income.
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    #5 chris-ccc, Feb 8, 2012
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2012
  6. badMania

    badMania Regular Member

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    It will be exhausting for the top players to participate in the Axiata Cup, while at the same time make sure they qualify for the Olympics.

    Let's review the schedule:
    14-19 Feb -- Thomas Cup Qualifying (Asia & Europe)
    28 Feb-04 Mar -- German Open GPG
    06-11 Mar -- AE SSP
    13-18 Mar -- Swiss GPG
    23-25 Mar -- Axiata Cup
    31 Mar-2 Apr -- Axiata Cup (clash with the Vietnam IC)
    03-08 Apr -- Australia GPG & Osaka IC
    13-15 Apr -- Axiata Cup
    17-22 Apr -- Badminton Asia Championships
    24-29 Apr -- India SS (last tourney for Olympics Qualification)

    There's practically no break for badminton players, starting from next week onwards, all the way till end of Apr.
     
  7. pjswift

    pjswift Regular Member

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    This is a ploy to distract the ASEAN Olympians from their Olympics preparations. Why only ASEAN? Didn't BAM say Olympics is the main focus? Anything that does not help the Olympics ranking points or disrupt the preparations should be dismissed. If MAS participation is required, send the rookies, not the Olympians. It may be the Axiata Cup and purportedly from the Axiata Group but the money may indirectly come from somewhere else. What is the objective of this tournament? Why this year, why not last year or next year when they are not Olympics year? What s the urgency of this year? They suddenly have money to throw? Reserve it for next year! If LCW and KooTan participate, they may not peak at the right time for OG12. Is the few thousand RM worth more than the OG gold? If participation lowers the chances of winning the OG gold, is it worth it? If LCW can only win either OG gold or Axiata Cup cash, which should he choose? BAM top execs just do not understand over participation can cause long term fatigue. Absolutely fishy tournament in terms of its objective and timing.
     
  8. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    I would agree that it is better for non-Olympians to participate in this year's 2012 Axiata Cup.
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  9. Licin

    Licin Regular Member

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    I just did not see the point why LCW needs to participate this tournament. Clearly, LCW would be happier to train & work out strategies to overcome CL & LD at 2012 OG rather than take part in a tournament for some prize money in exchange for his time in a journey towards one of his ultimate goal OG Gold medal.
    It is just did not make sense.

    3 Weekends of tournament is just insane & exhausting for traveling back & forth Home & Away tournaments.

    Although Axiata is a Telecommunication company in Malaysia, it is possible that the money is not from Axiata, it could be from somewhere else. Another possible scenario would be, if Axiata able to organize this competition just in time before 2012 OG, Axiata able to win some major contracts in another country which give them access to the huge market over there.
    These scenarios may not be true, as we do not know whats going on in that company, but it is possible.
     
  10. extremenanopowe

    extremenanopowe Regular Member

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    Yes, let the juniors play. ;)
     
  11. Licin

    Licin Regular Member

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    I prefer INA team to send their back up of newly appointed Pelatnas players
     
  12. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    BWF is now moving along with the same lines like ITF had done decades ago

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    I am more interested in independent (non-National Association) players trying to make some income.

    To me, National Association players are like government servants, supported and paid by their governments and tax payers from their countries.

    BWF have accepted this Axiata's proposal to stage this privately run tournament. Overall, I believe this is good for our Badminton players.

    As many BCers have read my previous posts about supporting players not getting support from their governments; Sooner the better that Badminton can follow Tennis (that is to move in with more private commercial companies).

    Although Badminton is like 50 years behind Tennis, it's great that BWF is now moving along with the same lines like the International Tennis Federation had done decades ago.
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  13. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    Indonesia's parliament is considering a cash injection for national badminton

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    Just after I posted the above comment, I was informed of this article:

    http://www.google.com/hostednews/af...ocId=CNG.9f4ce5645046686fc6556f9bf84e995d.8b1

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    AFP
    09-Feb-2012

    JAKARTA Indonesia's parliament is considering a cash injection for the national badminton team to boost its chances of winning medals at this year's Olympic Games in London.

    Indonesia has a dismal Games medal tally since it began competing in 1952 but has won at least one gold in badminton each Olympics since the sport was introduced in 1992.

    "Badminton should get special attention during the preparations, compared to other sports," Zulfadli, a Golkar Party legislator, was quoted as saying by the Jakarta Globe.

    "If necessary, we can disburse lots of money because what is important to us is to regain Indonesia's glory in badminton."

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  14. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    This is good for players not be listed for the 2012 London Olympic Games

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    BAM singles chief coach, Rashid Sidek, said shuttlers who qualified for the London Olympics may not be listed for the 2012 Axiata Cup.

    Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newssport.php?id=644639

    This is good for players not involved in the Olympic Games.
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  15. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    BAC Secretary General, Surasak Songvarakulpan, is pleased

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    Another article: http://www.4-traders.com/news/Axiata-Announces-Biggest-Badminton-Championship--14013085/

    Kuala Lumpur, 8 February 2012

    Axiata Group Berhad (Axiata), one of Asia's largest telemunications panies, today announced together with the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) and Total Sports Asia (TSA), the creation of the Axiata Cup - the world's highest prize money team event at USD 1 million. The Axiata Cup will feature 8 teams from 6 countries participating over a 4-week period. Starting on March 23rd in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Jakarta, Indonesia simultaneously, the semi-finals will be played on a home and away basis on March 30th and April 1st with the Finals played also home and away on April 13 and 15. Participating nations include: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines. The event will also feature a unique format of play featuring, for the first time ever in BAC history, home/ away matches.

    "We are very happy to be sponsoring the most exciting badminton event in the region this year with the biggest prize money among any team event in the world. We are making this investment because badminton has huge appeal amongst our customers across the region and the title sponsorship of such a major global event will help grow the Axiata brand", said Dato' Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim President & Group Chief Executive Officer, Axiata Group. "We have been searching for the right opportunity to get into sport and we are confident that with this event, we have now found it" he added.

    BAC Secretary General, Surasak Songvarakulpan, explained, "The BAC is pleased to present this interesting new event. One of our mandates is to grow the sport of badminton in Asia. This region has dominated the sport over its history and we want to continuously be on the cutting edge of its development. The Axiata Cup will support this directive. It is our hope that we will be able to create more such regional events around Asia."

    Badminton is a traditional sport with firm roots in the ASEAN region. Many of the biggest stars in the sport were born and bred here in Southeast Asia. In order to ensure that badminton continues to pete with other sports in attracting the most talented athletes, the BAC along with Axiata and TSA would like to create events that are dynamic, more attractive to youth and unite the Southeast Asian region.

    The aim is to have a badminton tournament unlike any other. The event will be the most exciting badminton tournament with new formats and petitions to raise the bar in the sport of badminton. Apart from the USD1 million prize money, this includes the new and creative format of play. The Axiata Cup will feature matches that would last for a maximum of 3 hours each, unlike the usual 6-10 hours.

    Aside from the unique home/away format, used for the first time ever, each team is also allowed to field up to two foreign "parties" (singles or doubles players) to bolster their teams. Players must originate from outside of ASEAN, but teams would be free to approach any available players from China, Korea, Denmark or other countries to play on their teams.

    Participating teams will announce their player lists by February 23rd and will already be starting to consider who will be offered positions. Songvarakulpan indicated, "Some teams will surely seek support from foreign stars in key areas while others may elect not to." With USD 1 million in prize money on offer, and as all costs of the teams are covered, there is certainly the likelihood of seeing some big names joining participating teams. Luer continued, "We hope to attract stars from around the world to play in the event which will give it an NBA-like quality that the sport has never before seen. The teams invited to play in the event can truly be strengthened by the world's best players. Moving forward, the event can grow in many directions, we are all very excited."
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    #15 chris-ccc, Feb 9, 2012
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2012
  16. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    India spends an amount of Rs 4.63 crore on for the medal prospects for OG

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    India spends an amount of Rs 4.63 crore on the training for the medal prospects for this year’s 2012 London Olympic Games.

    Source: http://www.centralchronicle.com/sports-ministry-spends-4-63-cr-for-badminton-oly-preparation.html
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    #16 chris-ccc, Feb 9, 2012
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2012
  17. Sealman

    Sealman Regular Member

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    The organisers have been advertising in the local papers recently. More information can be found in the following link:

    http://www.axiatacup.com
     
  18. pjswift

    pjswift Regular Member

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    And so BAM coaches and LCW and KooTan fell in for the money trap possibly set up by some foreign competition under the guise of Axiata and courtesy of CTC. Remember LCW said he will play less to peak for the Olympics? It s just laughable how they can get sidelined by small money.
     
  19. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    CTC of BAM will name two squads for the 2012 Axiata Cup

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    The CTC of BAM will name two squads for the Axiata Cup and independent players will be considered.

    Source: http://www.nst.com.my/sports/badminton/hafiz-welcome-to-stay-1.52113

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    The CTC will also name two squads for the Axiata Cup and independent players will be considered.

    Chin Chai said preparations for the Olympics will not be disrupted as the shuttlers don't have to play in all the Axiata Cup matches.

    A team comprises of eight players and matches will be based on a two singles and one doubles format with the champions earning US$400,000 (RM1.2 million).

    ====== * ====== part of article ====== * ======
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  20. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    The 2 MAS squads for the Axiata Cup

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    The 2 MAS squads for the Axiata Cup.

    Axiata Cup Team A

    Singles:
    Lee Chong Wei
    Mohd Hafiz Hashim
    Liew Daren
    Mohd Arif Abdul Latif

    Doubles:
    Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong
    Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah


    Axiata Cup Team B
    (They are 2016 Thomas Cup and Olympic Games special squad)

    Men’s singles:
    Zulfadli Zulkifli
    Misbun Ramdan Misbun
    Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin
    Loh Wei Sheng

    Men’s doubles:
    Ow Yao Han-Chooi Kah Ming
    Teo Eei Yi-Nelson Heg Wei Keat

    Source: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/2/29/sports/10824661&sec=sport
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