Notable Visitors For N.Z. Badminton Championships

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30218, 24 August 1963, Page 9

Notable Visitors For N.Z. Badminton Championships

FTHE standard at the New ■* Zealand badminton championships which start at Hamilton on Tuesday will be higher than ever before. It will be rated third in world tournaments to the All-England and Asian championships. The Indian, Malayan and South African Thomas cup teams are entered, as well as a team of three South African women. To avoid difficulties the New Zealand Federation has announced four New Zealand and four foreign seedings for the men's singles. R. H. Purser, who won the title last year, is first followed by J. E. Robson, D. B. Higgins and K. H. Long. For the foreign seedings, Malaya’s first and second players are first and fourth respectively, India’s N. M. Natekar is second

v and A. Parsons (South 1 Africa) third. t The women’s seedings

are Mrs H. Robson, the titleholder, Mrs V. Gow, Mrs K. Stavradis (South Africa) and Miss G. K. Tompkins. The men’s plate event will probably contain several New Zealand players, who in an all-New Zealand tournament would reach the quarter-finals without much difficulty. The men’s doubles, which are usually the best spectators’ games, should thrill even the most placid and critical onlookers. The Asian players have a style peculiar to their countries which is delightful to watch and continues to amaze even those who have seen them in action frequently. The chance to see such a number of these players in New Zealand together, is unparalleled in the 35-year history of the sport in this country.