Volunteers Support English Badminton's World Champs Proposal
ON the day when the 13th World Championships should have begun at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, the Badminton Association of England today announced overwhelming support from one vital quarter for the event to go ahead on a new date in August.
BA of E chief executive Stephen Baddeley said the Association had been swamped by offers of support from the event’s army of volunteer workers if England are given the chance to stage the championships on one of the new dates available at the NIA.
'The response has been quick and positive,' said Baddeley, whose staff wrote to every one of the 300 volunteers within 24 hours of the IBF executive board’s decision to postpone the championships because of concerns over SARS.
'Without our volunteers we would not be able to stage any championships. But now, with them behind us all the way, we are even more determined to press on with our plans for the first or second week in August.
'We have received confirmation from UK Sport that they are fully committed to the event and that the funding is available and the NIA have been quick to come up with new dates.
'We have submitted our proposal to the IBF and have offered the weeks commencing August 4 and August 11, with the first date the preferred choice.
'We have also been in talks with television to ensure they will still cover the championships. Everyone has rallied to the cause.
'Now we just await the go-ahead from the IBF executive board. We need to know because time is not on our side if we are to put all the pieces of the jigsaw into place.
'We know there is a clash with the Pan-American Games, which is obviously unfortunate, but everyone can appreciate how important it is for these world championships to be staged during the Olympic qualifying period.
'It may be possible for the Pan-American players to compete in the World Championships first then, depending on their performance, fly to the Dominican Republic for the badminton stage of the Pan American Games (August 8-15).'
Baddeley and his staff are particularly encouraged by the fact that the Indonesian Open from June 24-29 is preparing to go ahead despite the tournament’s proximity to SARS-infected areas.
He pointed out: 'The Indonesian Badminton Association have even written to every member nation of the IBF urging them to attend. If another Asian event is deemed safe to go ahead, there can surely be no further fears about the World Championships taking place in Birmingham, especially as Britain has been removed from the World Health Organisation’s list of affected areas.
'We simply hope our international colleagues will be just as supportive of England and the world championships. We need a quick decision so we can retain the momentum gained from the work done so far … as well, of course, as reducing the cost of the recent postponement to the IBF.'
For further information contact:
BA of E media officer William Kings on 07787 51 53 53
BA of E chief executive Stephen Baddeley said the Association had been swamped by offers of support from the event’s army of volunteer workers if England are given the chance to stage the championships on one of the new dates available at the NIA.
'The response has been quick and positive,' said Baddeley, whose staff wrote to every one of the 300 volunteers within 24 hours of the IBF executive board’s decision to postpone the championships because of concerns over SARS.
'Without our volunteers we would not be able to stage any championships. But now, with them behind us all the way, we are even more determined to press on with our plans for the first or second week in August.
'We have received confirmation from UK Sport that they are fully committed to the event and that the funding is available and the NIA have been quick to come up with new dates.
'We have submitted our proposal to the IBF and have offered the weeks commencing August 4 and August 11, with the first date the preferred choice.
'We have also been in talks with television to ensure they will still cover the championships. Everyone has rallied to the cause.
'Now we just await the go-ahead from the IBF executive board. We need to know because time is not on our side if we are to put all the pieces of the jigsaw into place.
'We know there is a clash with the Pan-American Games, which is obviously unfortunate, but everyone can appreciate how important it is for these world championships to be staged during the Olympic qualifying period.
'It may be possible for the Pan-American players to compete in the World Championships first then, depending on their performance, fly to the Dominican Republic for the badminton stage of the Pan American Games (August 8-15).'
Baddeley and his staff are particularly encouraged by the fact that the Indonesian Open from June 24-29 is preparing to go ahead despite the tournament’s proximity to SARS-infected areas.
He pointed out: 'The Indonesian Badminton Association have even written to every member nation of the IBF urging them to attend. If another Asian event is deemed safe to go ahead, there can surely be no further fears about the World Championships taking place in Birmingham, especially as Britain has been removed from the World Health Organisation’s list of affected areas.
'We simply hope our international colleagues will be just as supportive of England and the world championships. We need a quick decision so we can retain the momentum gained from the work done so far … as well, of course, as reducing the cost of the recent postponement to the IBF.'
For further information contact:
BA of E media officer William Kings on 07787 51 53 53