Total Sports Asia Distributes More Badminton From Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Badminton Association (HKBA) has appointed Total Sports Asia (TSA) as its exclusive worldwide media rights distributor for the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open Badminton Super Series 2007. TSA will distribute all television, broadband and mobile platform worldwide rights excluding the territory of Hong Kong.

Mr. Chau Yat Kwong, Hon. Secretary of the Hong Kong Badminton Association said: “We are glad to appoint TSA to exclusively distribute the rights to the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open because of TSA’s established networks in the market and the sterling work that they have done to elevate the sport of badminton to greater heights.

 

Mr. Chau added: “We strongly believe that the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open is in good hands and will be well distributed around the world.  We expect a healthy global viewership for the event in the years to come.”

 

Julian Jackson, Senior Vice President of Media in Total Sports Asia said: “This appointment means a lot to TSA because we have been entrusted to bring this top-notch badminton event to fans all over the world.  Badminton viewership has shown strong growth over the years and we are confident that we will help the HKBA bring the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open to more viewers around the world than ever before.”

 

Previously known simply as the Hong Kong Open, this year marks a significance for the HKBA because the event is upgraded to Super Series tournament. The prestigious Super Series attracts a clutch of top international badminton stars like Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat, Danish great Peter Gade and Malaysia’s star ace Lee Chong Wei, who will compete for top honours.

 

The Super Series is a calendar of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and each tournament offers a minimum of US$200,000 in prize money, making it a major draw for top badminton players.

 

The Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open Badminton Super Series 2007 is also an important stop for top-ranked players because points accumulated at this event contributes towards their position in the Badminton World Federation ranking.

 

About the Hong Kong Badminton Association: The Hong Kong Badminton Association (HKBA) was established 1934. The HKBA organized the first Hong Kong Badminton Closed Championship in 1936-37 when badminton was gaining popularity in Hong Kong.  HKBA then went on to organize a series of successful competitions during the 1960s. In order to promote and support the development of badminton in Hong Kong, the association conducts training courses for badminton officials and coaches.

 

Between 1982 and 2006, the HKBA was responsible for organizing 18 successful Hong Kong Open events.  In 2005, the Hong Kong Open was upgraded to a 6-star tournament.  2007 marks the Hong Kong Open’s maiden tournament at a newly promoted Super Series level.

 

About Total Sports Asia: TSA is Asia’s largest independent full service sports marketing, management and consulting company specializing in events, sponsorships, athletes and TV program distribution.

 

This year also marks the 10^th year of TSA’s presence in the market and operates out of six regional offices across Shanghai, Beijing, Mumbai, Dubai, Tokyo and the head office in Kuala Lumpur.