The lucrative prize money of US$2.5 million (RM11.66 million) at the upcoming World Tour Finals (WTF) in Hangzhou, China is a great advertisement for badminton, according to national shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) last month announced a 20% increase from last year’s total prize purse of US$2 million, which will see the singles champions pocketing US$200,000 (RM933,000), while the champions in the doubles category receive US$210,000 (RM980,000).
While the US$2.5million total prize payout will remain the same for 2024, it will continue to increase in 2025 and 2026 with a total of US$3million and US$3.5million respectively.
“The prize money is definitely a good motivation for everyone who is competing at the WTF. It will be a good ‘ang pau’ for me personally. It’s good for badminton to have more money,” said Chia.
His partner Soh also echoed the same sentiment.
“This would mean all around the world more people will know about badminton, who is still behind compared to other sports such as tennis and football. Even at the Olympics, badminton is still small compared to other sports.
“It’s a good motivation for us players to promote the sport,” he said.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky also supported the move by saying: “It’s good for the sport when the shuttlers get to earn more money. They will be more professional and even more diligent in their strategy.
“This makes me want to return to play again,” he quipped.
With the WTF now set to become the richest ever event in the sport’s history, it is also a reflection on the progress badminton is making to try and make up ground to tennis which is commercially a much more lucrative racquet sport.
What is certain is that Chia-Soh and national mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will hope to end the year on a high with a good showing at the season finale which begins next Wednesday.
The two pairs along with the coaching and support staff will leave for Hangzhou this Sunday.
The draw for the tournament will take place next Monday.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) last month announced a 20% increase from last year’s total prize purse of US$2 million, which will see the singles champions pocketing US$200,000 (RM933,000), while the champions in the doubles category receive US$210,000 (RM980,000).
While the US$2.5million total prize payout will remain the same for 2024, it will continue to increase in 2025 and 2026 with a total of US$3million and US$3.5million respectively.
“The prize money is definitely a good motivation for everyone who is competing at the WTF. It will be a good ‘ang pau’ for me personally. It’s good for badminton to have more money,” said Chia.
His partner Soh also echoed the same sentiment.
“This would mean all around the world more people will know about badminton, who is still behind compared to other sports such as tennis and football. Even at the Olympics, badminton is still small compared to other sports.
“It’s a good motivation for us players to promote the sport,” he said.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky also supported the move by saying: “It’s good for the sport when the shuttlers get to earn more money. They will be more professional and even more diligent in their strategy.
“This makes me want to return to play again,” he quipped.
With the WTF now set to become the richest ever event in the sport’s history, it is also a reflection on the progress badminton is making to try and make up ground to tennis which is commercially a much more lucrative racquet sport.
What is certain is that Chia-Soh and national mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will hope to end the year on a high with a good showing at the season finale which begins next Wednesday.
The two pairs along with the coaching and support staff will leave for Hangzhou this Sunday.
The draw for the tournament will take place next Monday.
