KUALA LUMPUR - Officials are hoping this week's Malaysia Open will launch a new era in badminton as it embarks on an ambitious campaign to become the world's premier racquet sport.

Formidable foes: The Malaysian Open badminton tournament could not have asked for a more explosive opener - a clash between Lin Dan (left) and Taufik Hidayat. [The Star Online]

Starting on Tuesday, the tournament is the first of 12 super series events being introduced this year as part of a revamped world tour.

It is set for an explosive opening with a revenge clash between Asian Games finalists Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia and China's Lin Dan in the first round.

Punch Gunalan, deputy president of Badminton World Federation (BWF), said he was confident the Malaysian event would provide the new tour with a solid platform on which to grow.

"Whenever you start something new, you keep your fingers cross that there won't be any problems," Gunalan told Reuters on Monday.

"We want to see what mistakes we may make and correct them quickly. BWF is excited because we hope this is the first step to make badminton the best racquet sport in the world. We are looking for a good jump-start."

The super series offers more prize money, with each tournament putting up a purse of at least $200,000, more television coverage and a chance for players to earn a living from the sport.

BWF is also trying to move the emphasis away from teams and focus more on individuals. This is reflected in the draw with world number one Lin looking for revenge over Asian Games gold medallist and 12th-ranked Taufik.

"This is the reality of life," Gunalan said.

"If you are not in the top eight of the world rankings, you don't get separated in the draw. This is an example of how exciting the tournaments can be."

Gunalan said that he was still waiting for word on the condition of Denmark's world number five Peter Gade-Christensen, who was rushed to hospital upon his arrival in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Gade-Christensen, who faces Dutchman Eric Pang in the first round, was reported to have suffered headaches and vomiting on the flight to Kuala Lumpur and was taken to Gleneagles Hospital soon after landing.

Gunalan said: "We are still waiting for word. We are hoping that he will be okay to play, especially after he travelled all the way here from Europe."