Skycity Badminton Open Launches 192 Metres Above the City

Skycity Badminton Open Launches 192 Metres Above the City

The SKYCITY NZ Badminton Open launched in Auckland today, with the message loud and clear from tournament organisers – this is a world class sporting occasion with a glittering field assembled for the gold status Grand Prix tournament.

Badminton New Zealand Chief Executive Joe Hitchcock joined players and coaches from many of the nations represented at the tournament (248 players from 26 countries) in a public signing session outside SKYCITY on Monday afternoon, before invited guests moved to the SKY Café, high above on level 50 in the SKYTOWER for the official opening.

“Let me be very clear about the quality of this tournament,” said Hitchcock. “This is something we are immensely proud of and we believe for good reason. It has taken many hours of hard work and dedication to get to the stage we are at today, a gold status Grand Prix tournament with a growing reputation as one of the best run and yet most friendly events on the calendar. That is why you are seeing the number of nations and the quality of players represented here in New Zealand over the next six days.”

Indeed the quality of the tournament in a sport that has global appeal throughout powerhouse badminton regions such as Asia, Europe and the America’s is quite amazing, with 52 players or combinations ranked inside the top 50 in the world in their discipline (singles, doubles or mixed). And matching that depth in quality is the fact that of those combinations or players, eight are ranked in the top ten in the world and many have world and Olympic medals on their CV’s.

Aiding the tournament is the fact it is reasonably late in the Olympic qualifying window, with nations and players chasing ranking points to get them on the plane to Rio. Not only will that provide an added edge throughout the week between nations, but there are likely to be some intense match ups between players or combinations from the same nation as they try and gain an edge with Rio selection in mind.

Leading New Zealand player Oliver Leydon-Davis will pair up with sister Susannah in the mixed event and young Nicco Tagle (19 years old) in the men’s doubles and is as always thrilled to be back from his base in Taiwan to play in such a quality tournament.

“This is without question a real highlight for me, every year now the chance to return home not just to see family and do some training, but to play in a tournament that would be the envy of many around the world. It helps motivate you as a player and I only wish I was 19 again like Nicco, for him and others like Oscar (Guo) and Tamara (Otene), what a chance to get this sort of experience without having to leave home, it really can be a platform for them to go on to bigger and better things in their careers.”

Nigel Skelt represented the Badminton World Federation at the launch, as Chair of the Marketing Committee, he was high in his praise of the tournament as he welcomed players and coaches from all around the world and presented SKYCITY President of International Business Ejaaz Dean with a plaque from the BWF.

“This is just a wonderful partnership between the organizers who do a fantastic job to produce such a high quality Gold Grand Prix tournament and supporters and commercial partners such as SKYCITY who are allowing the tournament to grow and for the New Zealand community to see first-hand what a wonderful sport this is.

“This is without question one of the greatest fields ever assembled here in New Zealand with an international broadcast audience greater than any other tournament before from the Oceania region, I have no doubt it is going to be a fantastic week.”

Without doubt a highlight of the official launch was the chance for players to become ‘high rollers’ with the chance to roll their own ice creams and get a taste of New Zealand. Judging by the efforts of some though, it might be just as well they are world class exponents of the sport of badminton – with a little too much of the product left either on the counter or making its way to the floor! What was safely in a cone or a cup was however eaten with some delight by all present, with all agreeing it was a great introduction to the tournament and the tastes of New Zealand.

The tournament begins with qualifying tomorrow (Tuesday), with a number of new Zealanders in action early on, with most main draw events commencing on Wednesday, with all the action at the North Shore Events Centre.

SKYCITY NZ Badminton Open
March 22 to 27
North Shore Events Centre
• 52 players or combinations ranked inside the world top 50 in their chosen discipline (singles, doubles, mixed)
• 20 players or combinations ranked inside the world top 20 in their chosen discipline
• 8 players or combinations ranked inside the world top 10 in their chosen discipline
• 248 players from 26 countries in the main draw
• Leading countries include: Korea, China, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and India. The entry list also features strong representation from the likes of Sweden, Russia, France, Vietnam and Australia,
• Semi-finals and finals covered live on SKY Sport in New Zealand
• Tournament is broadcast globally through the IMG Network

Tickets can be bought online www.nzbadmintonopen.com or at the door, with prices from as little as $5 for an adult and $1 for a child through the early rounds through to equally family friendly pricing for finals action, including options of 6-day tournament passes and hospitality packages for courtside comfort and the best views in the house.

The SKYCITY New Zealand Open semifinals and finals are covered live on SKYSPORT in New Zealand and broadcast around the world through the IMG network.

SKYCITY NZ Badminton Open
North Shore Events Centre
Event schedule:
Tuesday 22 March - qualifying rounds, first round Men’s Singles main draw
Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 March - preliminary rounds all events
Friday 25 March - GOOD FRIDAY - Quarter-finals
Saturday 26 March - Semi-finals
Sunday 27 March – Finals
Tickets and further information at www.nzbadmintonopen.com

ENDS

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