Startling badminton proposals

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33675, 26 October 1974, Page 18

Startling badminton proposals

i (N.Z. Press Association l AUCKLAND. ' Invitations to leading over(seas players about every three years, entry into the North American zone for the next Thomas Cup and the : switching from one to three tests for the Whyte Trophy are among startling proposals jof the New Zealand BadminI ton Federation’s development | sub-committee. i The committee’s report I was received at the recent 'meeting of the federation’s management committee in Wellington and was accepted in principle. It will now be directed to sub-committees i for consideration. The sub-committec, which met on five occasions, considered that the appearance of leading overseas players (would add interest and com- : petition to New Zealand ( stars at the national (championships. They would jalso appear in two or three major tournaments before the national championships, j In two years time two (Japanese women and two Indonesian men would be ■sent invitations. New Zealand competes 'regularly in the Thomas Cup Icontest, but only in the 'Australasian zone. The subI committee wants entry in the North American zone and I tour matches in that area. A similar course is wanted for the women’s Über Cup icontest in 1977. I The Whyte Trophy, congested by Australia and New Zealand, is decided every two 'years in one match. The subcommittee reaffirms the federation view that the competition should be decided over three tests on consecutive week-ends. In addition to offering travel incentives to players keen to improve their game, the sub-committee proposed occasional tours of SouthEast Asia. Two national selection panels are also urged.