Four-time world champ Cai Yun gives the thumbs down to Wembley Arena
Top News 3:56 PM
LONDON: China’s Cai Yun went four up in winning the world’s title with his partner Fu Haifeng on Sunday but it was thumbs down from him on the venue for the next year’s Olympic Games.
The World Championships at Wembley Arena was a test event for next year’s London Olympic Games but there were some teething problems that did not go too well with the players, officials and media.
On Sunday, Cai Yun-Haifeng ended the gallant run of South Koreans Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong with a 24-22, 21-16 win.
“It feels good to win the world title again. We did not take it for granted although we have won many titles before. This Korean pair lacked the experienced compared to Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung and we took advantage of it,” he said.
On Saturday, Cai Yun-Haifeng had ended two-time runners-up Yong-dae-Jae-sung’s run with a 21-18, 21-14 win in the semi-finals.
“This tournament was important because it is the venue for the Olympic Games. The playing hall is good but not some of the other facilities,” said Cai Yun.
“They spent millions to renovate this place but it did not have a proper changing room for the players. We have to use the toilets and it was quite cumbersome.
“They also lacked proper facilities for players to stretch and warm-down. I hope they will look into it.”
The organisation at the media room was also quite a letdown – without an efficient way to hold press conferences, crowded mixed zone areas and poor lighting. One would have expected the same professionalism shown at Birmingham where the All-England is held annually.
A Malaysian official also questioned the rationale of the court arrangement on the final day in the 12,500 capacity crowd.
“Usually, the final matches should have been on the centre court but it was pushed right to a corner. It felt awkward,” he said.
The hosts however, should be commended for doing a great job with their presentation of the events – by having something special everyday to get the fans excited prior to the matches and by placing a unique double decker bus for the players to make their entrance.
It is good to look presentable outside but it would be better to re-look at some of the weak spots inside so that next year’s badminton event at the London Olympic Games will be efficiently run.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 3:56 PM.
Filed under
