Anxious time for top badminton player

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33959, 27 September 1975, Page 4

Anxious time for top badminton player

(By

KEVIN McMENAMIN)

Canterbury’s top badminton player, Peter Whiting, wil] have to endure another anxious fortnight before he knows whether he will be given the opportunity to further his career in Europe early next year.

It was expected that the Wellington-based executive of the New Zealand Badminton Federation would decide last week if it was going to sponsor any players overseas next year and, if so, then announce the names of those selected.

The policy of sending two promising young players to Europe for experience was instituted last year and proved so successful that there seems no valid reason why it should be discontinued. However, there do appear to be complications. Speaking from Wellington, the chairman of the federation (Mf Lionel Brackley) said the topic was discussed at a meeting of the executive last week and it had been decided to defer any decisions until the next meeting on October 8.

He admitted that the matters under review had nothing to do with travel or accommodation arrangements, commenting that a programme of tournaments in Britain and on the Continent, plus coaching, had been mapped out. This programme covers a thr.eemonth period beginning early January and ending with the All-English championships in March. Yet, in spite of his acknowledgement that an itinerary had been prepared, Mr Brackley would not say definitely whether any players were going to be'sent.

He also refused to comment — apart from saying that no-one in Christchurch could have such knowledge —on a strong rumour that the national selectors have chosen not to recommend anyone for selection.

The handling of the whole matter does seem open to criticism. The season is to all intents and purposes over and there has been ample opportunity to consider the merits of the eight players nominated (six men and two women). The chosen pair, presuming that a tour is made, are entitled to as much advance knowledge as possible in order to make arrangements with their employers. One possible hold-up could be that devaluation\ has increased the contribution each player will have'

to make from his. or her. own pocket, but this could have been settled with a few telephone calls. In Whitings case, the

situation gives special rise for concern. He is Canterbury’s only nomination and on performances this year must surely rank well above the other seven candidates.

It. is nothing new for Whiting to be under-rated at the national level, but he could hardly be ignored after winning the intermediate singles title at the recent national championships in Hamilton.

It is this age group that contains the players most likely to benefit from top overseas competition and it was thought by many that Whiting would only have to reach the final to clinch selection. However, he did even better by beating the new New Zealand representative, Steve Wilson

(Otago>, who was one of the two players sent to Europe last year, in the final.

Mr Brackley was unwilling to release the names of the other seven nominations, but none could match Whiting <.>n performances this year, both in division one ties or other major tournaments.

The hold-up could possibly be in deciding on a partner for Whiting and the whole business is not helped by one of his leading rivals, Peter Skelt (Southland), being a son of one of the three national selectors, Mr Paul Skelt.

Whiting beat Peter Skelt at Hamilton, as he has done on other occasions this year, and Whiting could be forgiven if thinking the cards are somewhat stacked against him.

' Even when Whiting s name was mentioned to Mr Brackley, the point was quickly made that the prime reason for sending players overseas was to lift the standard of New Zealand’s doubles play.

And it is common knowledge that at this stage of his career the 21-year-old Whiting is far better at singles than he is at doubles. However, it is usual for players to improve at doubles as they get older, particularly when they form a lasting partnership with a player of comparable temperament and ability.

It will be most unfair if Whiting is overlooked because of deficiencies in his doubles play.