Mixed views: (from top left clockwise) Koo Kien Keat, Vivian Hoo, Tan Boon Heong and Tan Kian Meng voice out their opinions on whether it’s time to introduce prize money for World Championships.
PETALING JAYA: It’s time to introduce prize money for the World Championships – at least some think so.
The premier badminton event has been organised since 1977 but the Badminton World Federation (BWF) have always evaded the discussion of offering prize money for their major tournaments, justifying that playing and winning in some tournaments are just a matter of pride and honour for one’s respective countries.
No money is also offered for Thomas Cup and Sudirman Cup.
But all the money made through these events via players tirelessly efforts have been used for other events.
Seasoned campaigner Vivian Hoo, who will be playing in the women’s doubles with Lim Chiew Sien in Copenhagen tomorrow, hopes the world body will change their mind for a few good reasons.
“First of all, I think BWF have lots of money now and they can afford to pay, after all it will only benefit the players,” said Vivian.
“Independent players especially have to fork out their own money to travel for this event. Our country does not pay but we still compete.” Recently, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark highlighted the world body’s annual income, which showed they had total assets and liabilities of slightly more than US$52mil (RM237mil).
Vivian also felt that introduction of prize money would raise the level of the tournament.
“It will improve the profile of the world event, and it will also be a good incentive for players to qualify and participate. Players always play for honour for the country, and the prize money will be an apt reward for all our hard work.”
Former internationals Tan Boon Heong and Koo Kien Keat had different views.
Boon Heong said: “I’m really baffled why BWF are not offering prize money. They should rethink about this and should give out rewards. Players really put a lot of effort.
“At the 2010 world championships, Kien Keat and I entered the final. We played until I suffered cramps. It would have been nice to receive something for it.”
For Kien Keat, it was a matter of pride: “Sometimes, you need to play for the pride and not only for money.
“Show results first and the money will come. Those who request or demand a lot are not those top players.”
Mixed doubles shuttler Tan Kian Meng had mixed views.
“A few of us did propose to the world body to consider introducing prize money but they told us we were playing for our own country. This is true but we as the independent players are not supported,” said Kian Meng, who will play with Lai Pei Jing in Copenhagen today.
“I can accept it – to play in the world meet without any perks. It’s fine.
“Maybe, the world body can increase the prize money for other World Tour tournaments,” he added.
For example, the 21-year-old women’s singles shuttler An Se-young incredibly reached nine World Tour finals and captured seven titles so far in the year to pocket more than RM1mil total in prize money, which is a meagre sum compared to what a tennis or golf player would win in just one or two tournaments.
