As the country’s best badminton players travel to Jakarta, Indonesia, this week to defend the South African colours at the Thomas and Ûber Cups, they can reflect on a successful season.
Not only did South Africa become the first African country ever to participate in the Thomas and Ûber Cups, which are the world championships for men’s and women’s national teams respectively, but the South Africans also dominated the medals table at the All African Championships in Mauritius last month.
Although the whole team qualify for the Olympics according to the criteria of the International Badminton Federation, the ultimate decision rests with the national Olympic committee, NOCSA. On May 1st, the cut-off date for qualifying for the Olympic Games, Michelle Edwards, the South African women’s champion had a world ranking of 58 while NOCSA’s criteria was a ranking of 50 or under. Similarly, the world ranking of the mixed double’s team Chris Dednam and Antoinette Uys was 39 while NOCSA’s criteria was a ranking of 30 or under. It is now up to NOCSA to decide whether to put their money on badminton for the 2004 Olympics.
"The worst thing that could happen would be if countries like Nigeria and Mauritius send their players to Athens while we have to stay at home. We have beaten those nations on several occasions, and it would be very demoralising to our players, but let's wait and see what NOCSA decides," says Badminton SA's coach Morten Frost.
South African medals at the All African Chamionships:
Men’s single: Chris Dednam, Bronze
Women’s single: Michelle Edwards, gold ; Chantal Botts, silver
Men’s Double: Chris Dednam/Johan Kleingeld, gold ;
Dorian James/Stewart Carson, bronze
Women’s Double: Michelle Edwards/Chantal Botts, gold
Mixed Double: Dorian James/Michelle Edwards, bronze ;
Johan Kleingeld/Marika Daubern, bronze
Team: gold
For more information please contact Jette Kristiansen on 021 465 49 88