BWF to revamp Thomas & Uber Cups

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) revealed this week its strategy to do away with regional qualifying tournaments for the Thomas and Uber Cup competitions which, in turn, will grow to a larger, stronger competition.

Intentions to streamline the men’s and women’s world team championships, the oldest world championship competitions in badminton, have been public since late last year but earlier this week, the BWF finally released its detailed plan, which it believes will “make the event potentially attractive to an increased number of television markets and viewers,” in the words of BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund.

The BWF media release that came out on Monday said that broadcasts of the 2012 edition of the Cup competitions already reached a record number of viewers.

Key to the strategy is the removal of the regional qualifying competitions, traditionally held in February.  Meanwhile, the field for the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in May will grow from the present 12 to 16 teams, who will still begin with round-robin group play, all sixteen teams being selected based on the BWF’s new world team ranking tables (see here).

Changes will also be made to the continental quotas.  Whereas up until 2012 each continent was represented in both Cups, starting with the 2014 editions, Oceania, Pan Am, and Africa will be guaranteed a spot only for either the Thomas or the Uber Cup, in whichever they have the highest ranked team.

“Team events are fundamentally a reflection of the depth in development of the sport in each country. Moving from a regional qualification process to a World Ranking determination process sets our Member Associations in motion to adopt a long-term development strategy,” said BWF Deputy President and Events Committee Chairperson Paisan Rangsikitpho, as quoted in the BWF media release.

“This shift will cement the Thomas and Uber Cups as an elite showcase of nations who have effortlessly nurtured their talents with a focus on sustainable development.”

Click here to read the complete BWF media release on the Thomas & Uber Cup format change