YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships was successfully completed

Hong Kong’s annual badminton competition YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships has been successfully concluded on November 26. The 6-day event attracted more than 20,000 spectators. Nearly 300 athletes from 21 countries and regions staged a series of exciting matches for Hong Kong fans. Famous sports star Lin-Dan and Lee Chong Wei also have a great match in Hong Kong. Full house in Semi final and Final day. Hong Kong Badminton Association (HKBA) would like to express their gratitude to all sponsors, enterprises and organizations that sponsored the competition; and also the general public for their support.

HKBA also like to thank the officiating guests of the opening ceremony, included: Dr. Tong Yun Kai, President of Hong Kong Badminton Association, Mr. Tong Wai Lun, Chairman of Hong Kong Badminton Association, Mr. Poul-Erik Hoyer, President of Badminton World Federation, Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of HKSAR, Mr Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment of HKSAR, Mrs. Betty FUNG, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs. Michelle LI, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Raymond FAN Wai-ming, Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Mr. Timothy Fok, GBS, JP, President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Ms. Vivian Fung, Vice President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr. D.K. Seth, Managing Director, Sunrise and Co. (Pte) Ltd, Mr Kho Kai Hwa, Sunrise and Co. (Pte) Ltd and Mr. Lee Wood, Chief Executive Officer, MetLife Hong Kong.

‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist Celine Tam Tsz-kwan won the applause of the audience after performing 2 songs including ‘My Heart Will Go On’ and a Chinese song at the opening ceremony.

HKBA has spared no efforts in promoting sports. A Coach Sharing Session conducted by former Malaysian badminton team doubles coach Jeremy Gan was held during the Championships. More than 70 Hong Kong coaches attended. The goal for the sharing session is to enhance the standard of local coaches and to lift the coaching system of Hong Kong to a international level. There were on-site demonstrations. Local coaches were satisfied about this event.

To fulfil the venue requirement of IBF, Hong Kong Badminton Open has moved from Elizabeth Stadium in Wanchai to Hong Kong Coliseum from 2011. Now 4 matches can be held at the same time and the number of spectator seats also increased to 5,000. The event has been successfully held over the years depends on the support from different sectors of the community. Over 12 thousand badminton fans have been coming to join this event in the past seven years. HKBA also announced that they have obtained the right to host the 2018 to 2021 Super Series and hope to continue to bring fans exciting badminton events over the next four years.

2018 is coming! Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Let’s work together to create a better tomorrow. See you next year!