8 nations have confirmed participation in the Pan-American Zone Thomas Cup qualifying round while 5 nations have sent in their entries for the Uber Cup to be held concurrently in the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, Barbados on 17th – 21st February this year. THOMAS CUP: Barbados Brazil Canada Guatamala Mexico Suriname T&T USA UBER CUP: Barbados Canada Guatamala Peru USA The Pan Am Badminton Confederation will be hosting the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup in Barbados from February 17 – 21, 2004. As members would already know that these two championships are IBF controlled events, we who represent the continental body must ensure that there is full support for participation by all member countries in the PABC region. We have been alienated from competing at these tournaments due to the International Badminton Federation mainly hosting the events either in Asia or Europe. With the IBF’s new vision for the development and growth of the sport, a decision was taken to encourage all IBF member countries to participate and compete within their own region initially, in a preliminary event, with the winner(s) advancing to the final. As the economic factors always played a role in the developing countries being able to send teams to compete, whether it was due to the lack of funding to travel or just a case of not being up to the competitive standard, the fact that the championship is being staged in each of the continental regions, makes it even more accessible, affordable and attractive to all members. This should be viewed as an opportunity for us to be heard and seen by the IBF, as the ones who are responsible for the growth of the sport. As such, the Pan Am Badminton Confederation wishes to extend an invitation to all its members to support and participate in the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup preliminaries, which are carded for February 17 – 21, 2004 in Barbados. Please indicate whether your country will be participating in either the Thomas Cup or the Uber Cup or both. This information is required to be submitted by December 9, 2003. Please respond to the following email address: panam@panambadminton.org
