Singapore bids for SS Premier

Singapore-based Channel News Asia confirmed that the Singapore Badminton Association is bidding to enter its tournament as a Superseries Premier event for the next round of tournaments from 2014-2017, with a minimum prize money of US$500,000. The Singapore Open has been part of the regular Superseries until now but the Association is keen on having the best players in the world after the poor turnout this year for its most recent edition, which was just outside the Olympic qualifying period.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed, hoping that the BWF will accept our bid,” said SBA Chief Executive Officer Bobby Lee. “Our board members feel that making the Singapore Open a Premier event means we are guaranteed the participation of the top 10 players in all the five categories which will add prestige to our tournament.”

The current 5 Superseries Premier events are the All England and the Korea, Indonesia, China and Denmark Opens.  According to Channel News Asia, Australia and Malaysia could be bidding to enter the Superseries Premier category as well. The BWF will take its position in November at its council meeting.