HANGZHOU: China, the Asian Games men's team defending champions, received a first-round bye in the draw conducted today. The Chinese men’s team, the second seeds here, will face the winner of the Chinese Taipei vs Maldives match tomorrow.
Korea will be up against Malaysia in what promises to be an exciting encounter when the two teams face each other in their opening match. The winner will proceed to battle another strong side in top seeded Indonesia, who also had a bye in the first round.
India, another team with a bye today, will have a day’s rest before their match against either Mongolia or Nepal. Other ties tomorrow are Thailand vs Hong Kong China, Japan vs Singapore and Chinese Taipei vs Maldive
In the women's event, defending champions Japan and top seeded China were handed first round byes and will have a day’s rest before kicking off their campaign in Hangzhou on Friday. It will be a thrilling battle as China take the fight to Indonesia, who also had a first-round bye.
Japan, the No. 3 seeds in this tournament, will have to wait for the outcome of the Hong Kong China-Chinese Taipei encounter tomorrow before they know their rivals on Friday.
In the other half of the draw, second seeded Korea and No. 4 seed Thailand will sit out the first match day. Korea will play either Nepal or Maldives while Thailand awaits the winner of the India-Mongolia tie.
Badminton Asia President, Mr Kim Jong Soo, attended today’s team managers’ meeting and the subsequent draw ceremony. Also present at today’s ceremony was Chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association, Mr Zhang Jun, who said it was a fair draw that was well conducted.
Mr Kim expressed his happiness with the organisation, facilities, and set-up for the badminton competition. He was pleased with the Hawk-eye system on two courts. On the draw, he said some of the stronger teams, in the men’s and women’s events, were in one half of the draw and added it would be an exciting tournament.
Tournament Delegate, Mr Bambang Roedyanto, was pleased with the entire draw process and the team managers meeting. It will be an exciting competition for the teams and fans, said Mr Bambang.
