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China head coach blasts BWF(Xinhua)Updated: 2007-06-18 08:28The Sudirman Cup order of play issue became fuse for Chinese head coach Li Yongbo to vent his anger to the badminton world governing body BWF on Sunday. For the first time in the badminton history, the order of play had been decided by draw since the semifinals of the Cup.
"This is absurd. I believe it hardly happens in other sports to decide the play order in such a casual way," Li told a press conference after China beat Indonesia 3-0 in the final for their sixth title in the biennial event. "But since it's you not me that decide the play order in this way and the order had been drawn, you have to respect it. In sports, the rule is like a law, you can't just change it as you like." Tournament spokesman William Kings said officials were trying to put the most eye-catching men's singles match among the first three rubbers, which was down at bottom of the five sets as was decided by draw the previous night, due to worries that it won't be played at all if hot favorites China beat Indonesia 3-0 or 3-1. Sources said the referee had spent half an hour with China coach Li Yongbo on Sunday morning trying to achieve a change of heart without success. "I could have ignored their notification and walked directly into court for the final, but I didn't. I went to state my opinion and to show my respect to the referee and the tournament. However, do they know how to respect players and coaches? "I refused to accept the change because I think if they change it this time, they will do it next time. It just doesn't work for an international organization. I'm sorry for spectators who are deprived of an exciting final, but BWF should take responsibility for that." And the outspoken head coach went further to condemn BWF's organization and decision making. "I don't understand how they could act like this. Not only for this issue, in dozens of years I has been engaged in badminton, they're killing the development of an excellent sport. They never listen to coaches and players," he said. |
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