ABO Superseries Wins NSW Event of the Year 2017

Sydney (Australia), 1 Dec 2017 - The Australian Badminton Open Superseries has won the NSW Event of the Year at the inaugural NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony held at Rosehill Gardens on Monday 27 November. Badminton was the winner among six finalists which included Australian football, netball, hockey, motor sport and surfing.

The premier badminton event offered the highest prize money in the world at US$750,000, and attracted 268 players from 27 countries to Sydney Olympic Park, among them the greatest talent in badminton such as China's superstar Lin Dan with 3.7 million Weibo followers, and India's former World No. 1 women's singles Saina Nehwal who, with 8 million Facebook followers, dwarfs the social media followings of Serena Williams and Anna Kournikova. The event achieved 937 broadcasting hours into 18 countries with a viewership of 155 million households.

The Open was hosted in Sydney by Badminton Australia, together with strategy partner Destination NSW. Title Sponsor Crown Group CEO Paul Sathio Wadana, who is known for his own interest in the sport, reflected on Crown Group's ongoing engagement. “Crown Group has been a sponsor for this event since the first Sydney tournament back in 2012 when it was a much smaller event. We are proud to be a part of this journey that culminates in the Open's recognition by the state. Badminton is a sport that is played by the community right through to the Olympics, and Crown Group is proud of our on-going association with this event."

Badminton Australia Board member and Australian Open Tournament Director Loke Poh Wong said, “The Crown Group Australian Badminton Open owes its success to strategic partner DNSW, title sponsor Crown Group, key sponsors The Star and Yonex, and a host of local sponsors together with a force of 160 volunteers mainly from NSW coming together to deliver a world class event.”

Carolyn Toh, President of NSW Badminton Association, was in attendance to receive the award together with Mr Wong. “We are thrilled that the Australia Badminton Open held in Sydney has won the prestigious NSW Event of the Year award. The event has grown in strength and stature over the years and has assisted with the growth of the sport in the state. This is a win for the entire badminton community in NSW and Australia," she said.

About the Australian Badminton Open

The Open has been hosted in Sydney by Badminton Australia, together with strategy partner Destination NSW, since 2012. It was upgraded to a Superseries level in 2014, forming part of the BWF's international 12-leg Superseries. From 2018 to 2021, it will be part of the BWF's World Tour series. The 2018 event will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Quaycentre from 8 to 13 May.

For more information:
Kate Tan, Marketing Manager, Australian Badminton Open
0430 035 053
katetanhi@gmail.com
https://www.australianbadmintonopen.com.au
#CrownGroupABO