The title sponsor and official name for the Malaysia Masters being held next week is ‘Victor Far East Malaysia Masters 2016’ and it is part of BWF Grand Prix Gold Series.
It will be held from 19-24th January 2015 at the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre or better known as the SPICE Indoor Stadium located in Bayan Lepas, Penang.
The GP Gold falls under the second level of the world badminton structure and it offers a total prize money of USD120, 000. It will be the second tournament played in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) calendar for the year 2016 and Malaysia’s eighth consecutive time hosting the event.
The main highlight of the competition will be the presence of Malaysia’s legend and former world number one, Lee Chong Wei. The other singles players are K. Srikanth of India and Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia.
In the womens’ singles, world No.8, Sung Ji Hyun of Korea and world No.10 Akane Yamaguchi together with the recently crowned Macau Open champion, P. V. Sindhu of India.
The mens’ doubles will feature Malaysia’s top pair, Goh V Shem/ Tan Wee Kiong and independent shuttlers, Koo KienKeat/ Tan Boon Heong. Among the others pairs competing are China Open Superseries Premier champions, Kim Ki Jung/ Kim Sa Rang, their teammates, Ko Sung Hyun/ Shin BaekCheol, Bitburger Open GP Gold champion, Mads Conrad-Peterson/ Mads Pieler Kolding of Denmark, and 2015 SEA Games champion, AnggaPratama/ Ricky KarandaSuwardi from Indonesia.
The competition has also attracted world champions from China, Zhang Nan/ Zhao Yun Lei and world No. 4 from Japan, MisakiMatsutomo/ Ayaka Takahashi in the womens’ doubles. Mixed doubles will have Ahmad Tontowi/ LiliyanaNatsir of Indonesia and Ko Sung Hyun/ Kim Ha Na from Korea, winners of three back to back competitions, the Yonex Denmark and French Open as well as the Jeonju Victor Korea Masters.
