Aussies to face Old Enemy
AUSTRALIA has drawn arch rival England in what shapes as an early battle of badminton wills at the Commonwealth Games.
Officials yesterday named the four groups for the mixed teams for April’s Gold Coast event, with the hosts to line up against the England, South Africa and minnows Uganda in Group C.
India and Pakistan will square off alongside Scotland and Sri Lanka in Group A, while Singapore, Mauritius, Zambia and Jamaica make up Group B.
One of the favourites, Malaysia, goes head-to-head with Canada, Seychelles and Ghana in Group D of the Games.
Badminton debuted at the Games in 1964 with England winning the first eight golds on offer until 1994.
Malaysia has since taken over as the powerhouse and has won six straight golds dating back to the 1998 Games.