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Live Coverage of NZ Badminton Open Confirmed

Thursday 11 April 2013, 12:24PM

By dave worsley

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AUCKLAND

There’s good news for badminton fans in both New Zealand and Asia with the confirmation of live coverage of the SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open.

The US$50,000 Grand Prix event being held 10-14 April at the North Shore Events Centre is part of the world series tournaments around the globe and features 19 countries and a total of 250 players.

Live coverage of the finals will be shown into badminton strongholds such as China, Malaysia and Thailand. There will also be live coverage in New Zealand on CUE TV.

CUE Television see the badminton as a great opportunity to broadcast a popular sport and are excited about bringing the SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open live across the country this weekend.

“This is great for both parties in that an international tournament of this stature gets the coverage it deserves while enhancing CUE’s reputation as a national broadcaster of top quality events,” said CUE TV managing director Tom Conroy.

“With the high standard of the field put together, the prestige of the event and professionalism shown by the organisers, it made the decision to televise an easy one. Broadcasting nationwide, CUE has access to 2.5 million viewers and always welcome the opportunity to host productions of this calibre.”

Coverage starts on Sunday at Noon on SKY Digital 110 and Freeview Satellite 23.

There is also live streaming of the central court from Friday 12 April via the website www.nzbadmintonopen.com

“People don’t always realise how big badminton is in Asia and how much of a positive impact this event will have for New Zealand. It’s also great to have the sport broadcast live in New Zealand and to give a sport such as badminton an opportunity on local television. Viewers will be able to see just good it is as a competition and entertainment as well,” says SKYCITY NZ Open event director, Julie Carrel

Top seed in the women’s singles tournament is No19 Hsiao Ma Pai (Taipei) with former world No3 Simon Santoso (Indonesia) now ranked at 21 the men’s top seed. The men’s doubles draw has five pairs in the top 20 rankings and the women’s and mixed doubles are also strong.