Sung-hyunBaek-cheol win legal battle to compete as independent shuttlers
PETALING JAYA: The national men’s doubles shuttlers are bracing themselves for stiff competition in future tournaments with the impending return of several South Korean aces.
Former world champions Ko Sunghyun and Shin Baek-cheol have won their one-year legal battle last week against the Korean Badminton Association (BKA) for denying them the right to compete in the BWFsanctioned tournaments as independent shuttlers.
The Seoul High Court has ordered BKA to suspend their regulation that states the former male international with Olympic medals or Asian Games and World Championships gold medals are barred from competing independently until they reach age 31 (age 29 for women).
The motive behind the move was believed to be BKA’s attempt to discourage their players from leaving the national set-up at their peak.
Sung-hyun was 30 at the time (just turned 31 on May 21) while Baekcheol was 27.
Sung-hyun-Baek-cheol brought BKA to court after they were prevented from taking part in several tournaments including the Indonesian Masters and All England last year.
The BWF rules did stipulate that independent players cannot sign up for events on their own but must go through their country’s BA.
But Sung-hyun-Baek-cheol have now won a massive battle that could spark the return of other fellow “retirees” including former world No. 1 Lee Yong-dae, 29, Kim Sa-rang, 28, and Kim Gi-jung, 27.
The five boast 44 men’s doubles titles among them in the now-defunct BWF Superseries from 2007-2016.
National men’s doubles coach Cheah Soon Kit believes the return of these South Korean doubles specialists will definitely spice up the men’s doubles event.
“It will become more competitive for sure,” said Soon Kit.
“Everyone will have to watch out for them.
“With the experience they have, it’s only a matter of time before they are back to dominate.”
Tan Wee Kiong said he’s ready to take on the formidable South Koreans, whom he regarded as “good friends”.
“I’m really happy for them. Most of them are good friends of mine,” said the Rio Olympics silver medallist.
“I must admit the competition will be a lot more tougher when these guys return. It’s going to be interesting.”
Said former international Lee Wan Wah: “There are currently few young pairs (Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae and Chung Eui-seok-Kim Duk-young) making a steady rise on the international stage, so the comeback of these senior players is going to make the Koreans’ presence felt even more in the men’s doubles department.”