Disqualifications must ‘Serve as Lesson’

Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia, Sept 20, 2012: LESSON, Badminton World Federation (BWF) has signalled strong support for investigations into the incidents leading to the disqualification of eight badminton players from the London Olympic Games.

In correspondence to its entire membership, BWF President Dr. Kang Young Joong said: “BWF notes favourably, from media reports, that internal investigations and evaluations of this matter have taken place in some of the three countries directly involved. BWF would like to express our support for such steps.”

Additionally, he insisted the spotlight should not only fall on players but also on “coaches, managers and other influential persons within the respective national badminton entourages to ensure all stakeholders subscribe to the expected ethical standards and sporting ideals”.

While the matter – stemming from two Women’s Doubles matches in the final round of Group Stage action – involved four pairs from three countries (China; Indonesia; South Korea – two pairs), Dr. Kang stressed it “must serve as a lesson to us all” and called on each BWF member association “to review its elite structures and programmes; thus ensuring badminton is played with the highest degree of ethical sporting standards”.

“It is incumbent upon all of us in the international badminton family to guarantee our sport’s integrity and to strengthen its standing among the global sporting community. This is a priority of utmost importance and we cannot shirk from this duty. Such an embarrassment must never befall us again,” he said.

As pledged, he disclosed BWF is “already reviewing the playing regulations and any decisions about changes will be deliberated at our upcoming Council Session in November”. The world-governing body also reaffirmed its commitment to “creating increased awareness among players and their entourages regarding badminton’s ethics…and anticipates the full and uncompromising backing of its member associations in this effort”.

The BWF President noted badminton’s international profile, financial wellbeing and fan base have grown appreciably in recent years and there’s much of which “we in the badminton fraternity can be proud”. Citing the fact that all badminton Olympic sessions were “sold out” and “more matches than ever were played and televised in an Olympic Games”, he said the sport is now televised throughout the year in 150 countries and with more than 7,000 hours of television coverage. There has also been a significant increase on BWF’s broadband channel (www.badmintonworld.tv) with nearly 15 million views and close to 35,000 subscribers since its official launch.

Tournament-wise, more prize money is on offer now on the exciting OSIM BWF World Superseries tour, including the first-ever million-dollar event. Badminton is constantly penetrating new markets and BWF’s grassroots initiative, Shuttle Time – aimed at fostering school-aged talent – will expose more than 700,000 children to badminton in its first two years, said Dr. Kang also highlighting BWF’s push for Para-Badminton’s inclusion in the 2020 Paralympic Games.

“Badminton is a wonderful sport, enjoyed by millions at professional and recreational level,” he noted, while cautioning that the sport’s recent progress and gains “cannot be taken for granted”.

NOTE: On Wednesday, 1 August, 2012, following a meeting of BWF’s Disciplinary Committee, four Women’s Doubles pairs were disqualified from the London 2012 Olympic Games.

They were: Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang (China); Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari (Indonesia); Jung Kyung Eun and Kim Ha Na (South Korea); and Ha Jung Eun and Kim Min Jung (South Korea).

The pairs were charged under BWF’s Players’ Code of Conduct – Sections 4.5 and 4.16 respectively – with “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” and “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport”.

The Indonesian and Korean pairs appealed the decision with the Indonesians later withdrawing their appeal prior to it being considered. The Koreans had their appeals rejected by the Chair of BWF’s Appeals Committee. —- BWF/Image  © dailymail.co.uk