Increased participation in badminton predicted

31/8/96

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore has predicted an increase in participation numbers and a more competitive approach in Australian badminton in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Mr Moore said interest in the sport has been stimulated by the arrival in Western Australia of a number of top competitors from Asia.

"Asia has been the traditional base of badminton and since some of the sport's top players have taken up residency in WA, there have been other top players come here to visit," he said.

"This has stimulated interest which will flow through to junior development and participation levels.

"As a sport with both Olympic and Commonwealth Games status, as well as being an ideal family recreational activity, badminton has the potential to develop quickly.

"I believe these factors will assist Australia challenge the dominance of the Asian and northern European countries in the Sydney 2000 Olympics and I would expect there to be some evidence of this at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998."

Mr Moore was commenting today when officially opening the 1996 Australian Badminton Carnival at the Badminton Association of WA's headquarters at Flynn Street, Wembley.

All States and Territories are represented at the carnival, with more than 100 of Australia's best players vying for State and individual honours.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444 or 222 9595