Nadzmi, Justian, Hoyer Larsen eye top BWF post

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) President Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) president Dr. Justian Suhandinata and the Badminton Europe President Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen of Denmark were the nominees for the top post for the next four years, said BWF as quoted in their website; www.bwfbadminton.org, Monday.

Leading the nomination is Poul-Erik who received support from 52 BWF affiliates, mostly from the European countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland.

The former Danish badminton legend also gained huge support from several Pan American and South American countries such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile and Peru.

Dr. Justian who is the former Vice-President of International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1993-2002 on the other hand has gained support from 23 BWF affiliates, mostly from the East Asian countries such as China, Japan and Hong Kong and also a few Middle East countries such as Iran and Iraq.

The former Indonesian shuttler had prior to this joined the fray for the same post in 2001 but lost to Thailand's Korn Dabbaransi.

Mohd Nadzmi who heads the national badminton body since year 2000 only received support from Malaysia and South Korea.

Last November, outgoing BWF President Dr Kang Young Joong of South Korea had announced his decision to not seek re-election for a third term in office, saying 'the time is right for transition now that BWF is in a stable position and on a positive path with good long-term strategies in place'.

Meanwhile, incumbent BWF Deputy President Paisan Rangsikitpho of the United States will defend his post and face Gustavo Salazar Delgado of Peru who is the BWF's Council member and President of the Pan American Badminton Association.

The world-governing body of badminton will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 18, here, to choose office bearers for the 2013-2017 term.

Meanwhile, 20 of the 26 council member positions will be contested with the chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission and the five continental confederations' Vice-Presidents already chosen.