The Aviva Open Singapore (AOS) 2007 is set to thrill fans with the hottest action from all the top-ranked players when it takes place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 1-6 May.
The Aviva Open Singapore (AOS) 2007 is set to thrill fans with the hottest action from all the top-ranked players when it takes place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 1-6 May.
The event has been given an elevated status as part of the Badminton World Federation's Super Series and now boasts an increased prize purse of US$200,000 (£100,000). The AOS 2007 is also the first event to offer qualifying points for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Top competitors from China, Denmark, Indonesia and Malaysia will join local heroes from Singapore to fight it out for valuable points and test themselves against their potential Olympic opponents.
Tim Beardsall, Aviva Singapore's marketing director, said: "With the dream of the Beijing 2008 Olympics in mind, playing against the best in the world ensures a fiery test of ability, commitment and passion, a definite demonstration of Aviva's philosophy of forward thinking."
Lee Yi Shyan, Singapore's minister of state for trade and industry and deputy president of the Singapore Badminton Association, said: "By having such a top-notch competition right on our doorstep, it helps to grow the sport of badminton by leaps and bounds in terms of popularity. In fact, in terms of participation, badminton is even ahead of football, according to SSC's latest survey on sports participation!"