Galaxy of stars at Princess event
Some of the world’s leading players, including Chinese legends Lin Dan and Chen Long and local star Ratchanok Intanon, will take part in the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters next month, organisers said yesterday.
The Jan 21-26 tournament at Indoor Stadium Hua Mark is being held in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, a former national team player.
The BWF World Tour Super 300 event offers a total prize money of US$170,000 (approximately 5.1 million baht).
The tournament is part of the Olympic qualification. Players, who are still chasing their Tokyo 2020 spots, will have to do well in Bangkok to gain as many points as possible to boost their rankings in the Race to Tokyo.
The qualifying period ends on April 26.
Former world champion Ratchanok, who did not take part in the tournament last year, will lead the local challenge alongside Busanan Ongbamrungphan, the 2017 women’s singles champion, men’s singles hopefuls Kantaphon Wangcharoen and Sitthikom Thammasin, mixed doubles stars Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, and women’s doubles duo Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai.
They will take on an international field of players from 39 countries, including the likes of reigning Olympic champion and two-time All England champion Chen, five-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin and former men’s world No.1 Shi Yuqi, also from China.
Japan’s top women’ players such as world No.4 Akane Yamaguchi, 15thranked Sayaka Takahashi and No.19 Aya Ohori have also confirmed their participation in the prestigious tournament.
Last year’s winner Fitriani Fitriani of Indonesia will be back to defend her title.
Tickets are priced at 100, 200 and 800 baht and can be purchased at Thai Ticket Major outlets.
Admission is free for students.