Well said !!! However, i do believe NOT all players think the same way, implied to growing players. Many more factors to take into consideration for the point at which "sport" comes into existence rather than just focus on the prize money. Indeed, with money, bring more glory and enjoyment. Likewise, it will turn out like how Peter Gade who has been debating over and over about his dissatisfaction of the insufficient prize money of Competition, that he lost FOCUS on his Game, he himself crashed in the EARLIER ROUND of the recent past Superseries, LOL !
There are 2 types of players out there today: (1) the true professional player who play full time badminton, e.g. PG, whose main income is the prize money (plus personal sponsorship deal, but this also depends on how often they win major events); (2) the state sponsor player, whose main income is provided for by state as long as they are in the team. Usually they get a portion of the prize money as bonus. The current Chinese players are in this group. For player in category 1, the prize money will be their focus because it directly affect their well being. For player in group 2, the prize money is still important, but less significant, as their main focus to keep themselves in the state-sponsorship program but winning tournament that are of importance to the state. Let's say, if the Olympic games is held at the same time as a 7* open competition that offered the champion USD100,000 prize money. The chances are players that are in group 1 will skip Olympic and enter the 7* open, whilst players in group 2 will do the opposite. The reality faced by these 2 groups of players are different, and we need to appreciate their position as a full time atheletes. Going back to the topc of prize money for badminton tournament. It is actually unhealthy to see Yonex being the main sponsors for so many major events. Even they make tons of money, the money will be spread thin if they are sponsoring so many events annually. ABC and BWF need to attract other big names to come forward to take up the sponsorships and relieve the burden on Yonex. ABC Championship used to be sponsored by JVC for many years, but not sure why they stopped. We need these commercial entities to come back to support the sports.
Yes totally agree with what you said. I think the sponsorship dried up when the other sports did their marketing. ABC and BWF need to drive for funds through heavy marketing. No marketing no talk !
Sigh.... the example I gave was meant to be a hypothetical one to illustrate the different priority of the 2 groups of players. Apologies if I confused anyone.
why would the guys in the US say that badminton is a backyard game and its not popular in the US ? is it bcos of the prize money ? or is it becos they play at thier backyard ? come on i play tennis with a wall before so does that make tennis a wall game ? lol .... i do think the prize money is the motivation that keeps an athlete alive and still be interested to do well in the game ..... im a fan of both tennis and badminton and i must say that badminton has a whole different excitement than tennis and its the only game that uses a shuttlecock and not a bouncing round rubber ball like in football, basketball, tennis, squash, etc etc but why is it so un-famous in the western coutries like USA, Canada, New Zealand etc etc ...... prize money ?
if the player isnt motivated by the price money.....he muz b a millionaire or his father muz have a "gold mountain" for him to dig. price money will be the primary reward while glory adds on to the bonus part.
well said my fren.......to hell with those supporters who cant handle bashings to the players they support when they fail to perform. after all, it's just bashings, means nothing........
A Question of Dollars and Sense Excerpts from a report by Lee U-Wen in "Today", April 5, 2007. Singapore's growth in GDP terms has been impressive for many years. The very talented enjoy phenomenal pay rises and material benefits such that few are interested to participate in politics and join the government. So much so that in January 1994, the first Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, now Minister Mentor, had to introduce the idea of private sector benchmarks for ministers' pay. There was a great debate but in the end the government succeeded. The search for talent is even greater now as the private sector is willing to pay handsomely to entice top talents and as the talented Singaporean is in great demand not only locally but also from abroad. Globalization has made it easier and the rich countries are able to attract the most talented to their shores. Singapore's Ministers' pay is relatively high by world standards. Our Prime Minister's pay is reported to be even higher than that of Britain's and the US President, but the latter may enjoy better indirect perks. But as a fraction of Singapore's GDP, the total salaries of our Ministers and political appointments is low at just 0.22% or 0.13% of total Goverment expenditure. Benchmarking Ministers' and top civil servants' pay to the private sector helps in preventing a talent drain from the government, reducing corruption and ensuring that the economy continues to grow and public services continue to improve. Corruption is the main reason why so many governments and countries fail. So what has this got to do with badminton? Well, we have debated how important it is for top players to be rewarded adequately for them to lead a better life. Otherwise, the best players will not remain long in the sport and the most talented may not want to take up badminton as a profession. Our Minister Mentor also gave some examples on the world of sports and how top tennis players and famous footballers (and golfers I may add) were rewarded handsomely for their talent. That was the key to producing champions! "It is a competitive world in which we live and if we can't compete, we are not going to live well," he said. So how can we get the best talents in badminton when the prize monies and material benefits are relatively dismal?
yeah imagine someone who has great talents in both badminton n tennis.....which sport will he choose to be his profession? BWF needs to give serious thoughts in improving the price money in tournaments.
How can academics/businesmen/non-sportsmen ever contemplate on the requirements of sport ? All your leaders (e.g. a lot of the above) know 'squat' about sports and for those who do they cannot do anything --- offering huge incentives will not get the sportsmen you want. If you do not invest in sports but only in manufacturing/financial trading institutions, then expect only financial rewards not sporting ones (but of course there is nothing wrong with this --- just 'drool' or complain when your sportsmen don't bring back the fame). Loh, it is not all bad tho, considering you have lots of bowling alleys and swimming pools (and there are some Singaporeans who come out tops in those sports). Live with that my friend. Forget about glory in badminton --- it ain't going to come in a looooooooong time.
Concur with you...but add also that winning would also generate extra $$$ from govt incentives (sometimes these extras is more than the $$ from winning), plus potential endorsement $$$.
To substantially increase badminton prize $$$ would need major cash infusion that can only come from live TV broadcast, TV commercials, pay per view on TV and major sponsorships (Yonex and govt backing alone are not enough, actually is a drop in bucket and that is why the prize $$$ is so dismal), and the game needs to reach a global audience, like soccer, basketball, tennis. And most importantly, markets like North America and Europe where we like it or not are considered rich nations and sports driven. Consider this, badminton, with Asians domination (only 3 teams has ever won the Thomas Cup, and the current WS, WD domination by CHN is not doing the game any favors).
This is outside the original topic. 0.13% of total Gov't expenditure ? That's quite a lot. Gov't expenditure is meant for the benefit and happiness of all citizens. That means besides earning salary, the ministers also enjoy other benefit such as the infrastructure, the schools, other public facilities built, etc. What % of total Gov't expenditure is for gold-medal winning athelete ? What % of total Gov't expenditure is for all altheletes ? Find people who are happy to help their fellow citizens to be ministers, of course the pay should be sufficient enough for them.
