Bangkok: The Thailand Uber Cup team and coaching staff received a 14-million-baht bonus ($426K USD) from Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat after making a historic run to the Uber Cup final that was held in Bangkok in May.
Although the Thailand Team lost to Japan in the title match, but they were able to upset badminton powerhouse China in the semi-finals.
That achievement was considered a new chapter in Uber Cup’s 61-year history which was also Thailand’s first ever trip to the final.
At the award ceremony, Badminton Association of Thailand also announced that World No. 8 women’s singles player Ratchanok Intanon will be skipping the US$150,000 Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters to be held from January 8 to 13, at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.
The main reason of Ratchanok’s withdrawal was she needed to keep herself fresh when she was trying to defend her title at the Super 500 Malaysia Masters the following week. She also vowed to do well at the Indonesia Masters afterwards, in which she finished runner-up last year.
In the men’s singles competition, two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan will be eyeing to claim his second Thailand Masters title after winning the 2008 Thailand Open.
Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul asked the Thailand fans to attend the competition and show their support for Thai players.
“The tournament will feature many world-class players and it’s going to be a good opportunity for Thai players to gain ranking points and to boost their Olympic qualification prospects.”
