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OUE extends title sponsorship of S’pore Open

SINGAPORE — OUE has extended its title sponsorship of the OUE Singapore Open for three more years until 2017 in a deal worth S$2.2 million, the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) announced today (Nov 11).

Senior Minister of State and President of Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) Lee Yi Shyan (left) with Executive Chairman of OUE and Patron of SBA Stephen Riady announced the S$2.2 million, three-year sponsorship of the Singapore Open. Photo: OUE Singapore Open

Senior Minister of State and President of Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) Lee Yi Shyan (left) with Executive Chairman of OUE and Patron of SBA Stephen Riady announced the S$2.2 million, three-year sponsorship of the Singapore Open. Photo: OUE Singapore Open

SINGAPORE — In a boost to badminton here, property owner, developer and operator OUE Limited will continue as title sponsor of the OUE Singa­pore Open until 2017, in a three-year deal worth S$2.2 million.

But the news was tempered by concerns that next year’s edition could be affected by the possible absence of Malaysia’s world No 1 Lee Chong Wei.

Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) director of team administration Chew Keet Hou said should Lee be banned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for two years for failing a drug test, it could affect the turn out for the US$300,000 (S$388,000) OUE Singa­pore Open. 

“Chong Wei is someone who can draw a huge crowd, and his ban will affect attendances at not only the OUE Singa­pore Open, but also all other competitions,” Chew told TODAY on the sidelines of the sponsorship announcement at Mandarin Orchard yesterday. 

Last week, shocking news emerged that two-time Olympic silver medallist Lee, 32, had failed a drug test. Both his “A” — taken during the World Championships in Copenhagen in August — and “B” urine samples have tested positive for the banned substance dexamethasone, a steroid that was used during his surgery on an injured thigh in July.

Yesterday, the BWF temporarily banned Lee until further notice. A decision is expected soon.

In April, Lee returned to compete in the OUE Singapore Open after a four-year absence. His popularity saw overall attendance levels for the five-day tournament jump to about 45,000 from 30,000 last year.
In the meantime, the SBA will work more closely with the Singa­pore Sports Institute to avoid the risk of flouting anti-doping rules.

“Our athletes need to be even more careful and responsible with what they consume, and we will ask them to file all injections and medications they have taken and alert the relevant authorities before each competition,” said Chew.

National shuttler Derek Wong added: “I am not sure if he can maintain his World No 1 ranking if he were to be out of competition for a while. It will be a big upset if he is out of the 2016 Olympics.”

Meanwhile, SBA president Lee Yi Shyan said the association had not decided on the ticket prices for next year’s OUE Singapore Open. Ticketing revenue makes up about 10 per cent of the S$1.3 million budget to organise the meet, and Lee, who is also Senior Minister of State (Trade and Industry, and National Development), said continuing to attract sponsors is key to the tournament’s future.

OUE executive chairman and SBA patron Stephen Riady said the encouraging performances by the national shuttlers at competitions this year were a big reason the firm extended its sponsorship.

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