Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

There may not be an OUE S’pore Open in 2018: SBA

Amid the celebrations last night at the OUE Singapore Open, event organiser the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) delivered a sobering note on the future of the US$350,000 (S$475,000) Superseries event.

Amid the celebrations last night at the OUE Singapore Open, event organiser the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) delivered a sobering note on the future of the US$350,000 (S$475,000) Superseries event.

With bidding for the next four-year cycle (2018-2021) for the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) World Superseries to kick off in two months’ time, the SBA said yesterday they will not put in a bid if they are unable to secure sponsors for the tournament.

They have also ruled out a possibility of upgrading the event to the Superseries premier — which boasts a larger prize purse and participation from top players — unless they are able to raise the money.

While SBA secretary-general Michael Foo said they are currently in talks with property developer OUE — the company extended its title sponsorship for three years until 2017 to the tune of S$2.2 million — he is hopeful that more sponsors will come on board.

Tickets sales for the event account for about 15 per cent of the total budget, with sponsors covering some 70 per cent of the cost.

“We would rather not bid for the next cycle (if there are no sponsors). We are still talking to sponsors and hopefully OUE will come on board,” said Foo. “We have to look at whether to continue the bid for one cycle, or build up the national team. We have to make a decision.”

Added SBA CEO Ronnie Lim: “We are optimistic about the event, but the cost of organising it increases every year, and it’s not fair for us to rely on OUE so we feel we should broaden the base of sponsors.” LOW LIN FHOONG

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.