India opts for Euro venue

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, NOV. 16. In a tactical move, India has opted to play the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup qualifying rounds at Eindhoven in Holland instead of competing at Melbourne, like rest of the Asian nations. The qualifying rounds are set to be played from February 17 to 24, 2002.

The Indian move is based on the hope that it gets a better draw and that it finishes among the top three in the predominantly European group, which would ensure India a place in the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals, to be held in May 2002 in China.

India's strong line up in singles , should serve the team better in Eindhoven, than in Melbourne where other Asian nations like Malaysia, Korea, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and the rest have a good complement of both singles and doubles players.

Normally, the teams can choose to start their qualifying campaigns in any of the available venues - usually they choose the venue closest to them geographically, but looking at the 2002 entry list there have been some surprises, including that of India and New Zealand.

New Zealand, instead of hopping across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne, will travel nearly 18,000 km to the Netherlands Similarly, Canada, Peru and Brazil all consider their interests are best served in Eindhoven, rather than attending the Pan-Am First Stage in Cuba.

As expected, badminton strongholds Malaysia, Indonesia and Korea will play in Australia, while Denmark, England Sweden and Germany are among the teams hopeful of success at the European venue.

There has been a record number of entries for the Uber Cup , with 48 nations competing in the qualifying rounds, played across three continents at Eidenhoven, Havana and Melbourne. The men's event, Thomas Cup also sees a new high with 54 teams set to play.

After the completion of the first and semi-final stage, Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals, will be played at Guangzhou, from May 9 to 19, 2002.

In the Thomas Cup, six teams (three from Eindhoven and three from Melbourne) will be hoping to join host China and the Cup holder Indonesia, while China as host and holder of the Uber Cup will be joined by seven qualifying teams - three from Eindhoven and four from Melbourne.

The group draws for the Australia and Eindhoven venues will be made no later than six weeks before the events commence, in line with IBF regulations, and teams have until just two weeks before the competitions to name their squads.

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