280 top shuttlers to battle in Sibu
SIBU: The Victor Far East Malaysia Masters 2017 (VFEMM), promising to become the biggest sporting event ever in Sibu, is set to rumble at Sibu Indoor Stadium from Jan 17-22.
Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said 280 players from 16 countries and about 10 0 journalists from around the world are expected to show up.
“The frenzy, the thrill and the excitement is about to unfold and let’s hope the people here, young and old, will turn up in full force to support the event with overwhelming enthusiasm,” he told a press conference held here yesterday afternoon.
The second- tier Grand Prix Gold tournament has attracted some world- class players from around the world.
The Malaysian challenge will include world No. 1 doubles pair Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, world No. 5 mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon- Goh Liu Ying and No. 9 Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
In t he singles, Iskandar Zainuddin, Goh Jin Wei, Chong Wei Fong, Tan Jia Wei, Tan Chun Seang and Cheam Jun Wei will be vying for honours.
The international field for men’s singles will see Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Lon (world No. 10), tournament top seed Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand, second seed Lee Yun Il from South Korea and Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiato and Sonny Kunchoro.
Notable names in the women’s singles are world No. 9 Saina Nehwal from India and world No. 13 Ongbamrungphan Busanan from Thailand.
The 16 participating countries are Brunei, Spain, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Ukraine, the USA and Malaysia.
China are not sending any player apparently due to the clash of dates with their own domestic league while Japan will only be sending their second stringers.
Karim said the event also coincided with the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) efforts to promote Visit Sibu Year 2017.
“This is the first event of the year, and it is bound to bring about economic spin- off for Sibu, both short term and long term,” he added.
He noted that the tournament will be telecast live to the 16 participating countries and it was a big opportunity for Sibu to be made known all over the world during the six- day tournament.
In Germany, the reigning World Cup winners, reaction was mixed.
“I am not happy with the decision and would have wished that all the important questions about the organisation and the format had been completely resolved,” said Reinhard Grindel, president of the German Football Association.
“But since the decision was taken unanimously by the FIFA council, it is important to respect it and look forward.
“My main worry is that the attractiveness of the matches will suffer.”
Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff said he could “understand everyone who feels the increase of the field is a dilution (in the quality of the tournament)”.
“Also for me, the increase to 48 teams for the biggest and the most important tournament in the world feels like it’s too much,” he said.
Berti Vogts, who won the 1974 World Cup with Germany and went on to coach his country, did not hold back.
“I’m very, very appalled, I don’t want to believe it,” he said.
“It’s terrible. If you want to ruin something, this is the path you should take. I just don’t understand it.”
Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish league, made no attempt to hide his disgust.
“FIFA is doing politics. Gianni Infantino is doing politics,” he thundered.
“To be elected he promised more countries at the World Cup. He wants to honour his electoral promises.
“But the promises made to professional football, he’s not sticking to.
“It is without our agreement and it makes us very angry.”
Football’s powerful European Club Association also reiterated its opposition, describing the current 32-team model as “the perfect formula”.
“We understand that this decision has been taken based on political reasons rather