Dubai: The cream of the world’s badminton talent is in Dubai as the Hamdan Sports Complex prepares to host the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals for the first time from December 17 to 21.
For the first three days matches will be held in three sessions — from 9am, 1pm and 7pm. The semi-finals will be at 1pm and 7pm on Saturday, while the finals will be in two sessions starting at 2.30pm and 8pm on Sunday.
Only the eight top-ranked players from the BWF Destination Dubai Rankings in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles have earned a place at the prestigious tournament, which sees them compete for a share of a $1 million (Dh3.67 million) prize pool.
The event is taking place as the sport bids to recover from the shock of top-ranked men’s player Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia testing positive for a banned substance last month. The player was temporarily suspended pending a hearing by a doping panel from world governing body BWF.
Facing a potential two-year ban after testing positive for dexamethasone, Lee has insisted he is innocent, but he won’t be in Dubai to compete for the title as the season-long series comes to a climax here.
Players tried to put that gloom aside and focused more on the year-ending competition that is held on the lines of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis in London or the WTA Championship Finals in Singapore.
India’s Saina Nehwal, who has been to Dubai before and is accompanied by her father Harvir Singh Nehwal, said: “During my past visits I have really enjoyed the fast and buzzing life of Dubai. It is a small city and I have seen it all in just one hour. It was such an amazing experience for me.
“I would like to take my Dad and show him around as well. I will take him to the Burj Khalifa and then of course try and spend some time on the beach.”
World number one and favourite for the men’s singles, Chen Long of China, has also come prepared to spend time exploring Dubai.
“I’ve heard that they have the shopping festival starting soon where they are offering a lot of discounts. Other than the shopping I want to go on top of the Burj Khalifa,” he said.
Ninth-ranked Kenichi Tago, who was brilliant for Japan during this year’s Thomas Cup, earned a spot in this competition due to Lee’s suspension. He he has been placed in tough group along with Chen, Korean Son Wang-ho and Hans-Kristian Vittinghus of Denmark
“I would have preferred to be in Group B, but I am in the group of death. I have come here to play and I will not distract myself from this goal. I don’t want to go anywhere or see anything around the city. I just want to focus on my badminton,” he said.
