Amateur players about to get share of the spotlight

China's national badminton team won't get a break after the London Games. They're due to show up at the Red Bull Badminton Tournament final to cheer on some of the best amateurs from China and Britain on Monday in Westminster, London.

The final features a team from Northern China and one from Southern China, the two best amateur teams after months of preliminary and knockout stages in China.

They will play in men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.

The wining team will then take on the English outfit on a scale that is usually reserved for badminton's elite.

The English team will be the winners of the Premier A league.

Badminton England commercial director Fiona Young said it will use the competition as an opportunity to encourage more young people to take up the sport, ensuring its growth and development.

Chen Xiangfeng

(China Daily 08/06/2012 page12)