EXPERIENCED CAMPAIGNERS HEAD BADMINTON TEAM FOR DELHI
July 19: The Veeran siblings have been named in a 10-member Australian badminton team to compete at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games following the team announcement at the 2010 Australian Open in Melbourne this afternoon.
Raj Veeran, 25, and his younger sister Renuga Veeran, 24, were born in Malaysia but moved to Sydney seven years ago to further their school studies. Now residing in Victoria, the siblings, who will compete in the mixed doubles together in Delhi, only received their Australian citizenship a few months ago paving the way for them to represent their adopted nation.
South Australia's Kate Wilson-Smith has been selected to compete in her fourth Commonwealth Games in October in the mixed and women's doubles. Making her debut at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games, the 31-year-old veteran initially retired after Melbourne 2006, but the hunger to win a Games medal was too strong and she made her comeback to the sport a year ago.
Also competing in the women's draw and making their Commonwealth Games debut will be He Tian Tang (Rosy), who won a bronze medal for China in the women's doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Chai Chi Huang who represented Chinese Taipai at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, and South Australia's Leanne Choo, the youngest in the team at 19, who will compete in the women's singles and doubles.
Adding even more experience to the team, Beijing Olympians Ross Smith (men's doubles) and Glenn Warfe (men's and mixed doubles) return to compete at their second Commonwealth Games after making their debut at Melbourne 2006.
Twenty-two year-old Jeff Tho (singles) who hails from Bendigo in regional Victoria and Western Australian Nicholas Kidd (singles) complete the team.
"This is probably the best and most experienced team we have selected in a very long time," said Australian head coach Lasse Bundgaard.
"We didn't win a medal at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games however I believe we have very strong medal prospects for Delhi, led by He Tian Tang and Chia Chi Huang."
In announcing the team today, Australian Commonwealth Games Association CEO Perry Crosswhite said the badminton team will face stiff competition in Delhi.
"Australia will place a strong team on the court in Delhi, however they will be tested by Malaysia and England who have been the dominant force in badminton over the years," Crosswhite said.
"The host nation India also have a long tradition in the sport, and given their rapid improvement in recent times are also expected to field a formidable line up."
Badminton made its debut on the Commonwealth Games programme in Kingston, Jamaica in 1966. It was the first racquet sport to be included in the Games and has remained on the program every since.
Australia has won 11 medals in badminton since 1966, two gold, one silver and eight bronze. Michael Scandoleva (Vic) and Audrey Tuckey (WA) combined to deliver Australia's first gold in the mixed doubles in 1986, followed by Lisa Campbell (Vic) in the women's singles in 1994.
Six gold medals will be on offer in Delhi - men's singles and doubles, women's singles and doubles and mixed doubles and team.
The badminton competition will be staged from October 4 to 14 at the recently constructed and world-class Siri Fort Sports Complex in Delhi.
2010 Australian Commonwealth Games badminton team
|
Women |
|
|
|
|
Chia Chi Huang |
31 |
Victoria |
women's singles |
|
Leanne Choo |
19 |
SA |
women's singles, women's doubles |
|
He Tian Tang (Rosy) |
34 |
Victoria |
women's doubles |
|
Renuga Veeran |
24 |
Victoria |
women's doubles, mixed doubles |
|
Kate Wilson-Smith |
31 |
SA |
women's doubles, mixed doubles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Men |
|
|
|
|
Nicholas Kidd |
29 |
WA |
men's singles |
|
Ross Smith |
25 |
Victoria |
men's doubles |
|
Jeff Tho |
22 |
Victoria |
men's singles |
|
Raj Veeran |
25 |
Victoria |
mixed doubles |
|
Glenn Warfe |
26 |
Victoria |
men's doubles, mixed doubles |
Coach: Lassa Bundgaard
Coach: Ricky Yu
Manager: Rhonda Cator
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ACGA