By Stanley Sandford
Published on 5 August 21 at 9:44
An opportunity not to be missed! The Tahitian Badminton Federation (FTBad) will have the opportunity to take part in the badminton world championships in Finland and then in Denmark from September 26 to October 15. An opportunity, indeed, since Tahiti was not planned for these international dates.
Last month, Sylvain Janier Dubry, French executive of the Badminton Club d’Oulins, came for a two and a half week training and development camp for the Tahitian team preparing for the Oceania and the mini -Pacific Games 2022.
The championships were not on the calendar, but the FTBad had the good surprise of being qualified for these championships. “It’s a great opportunity for us. Normally, it is Australia which should participate ”, specifies Léo Cucuel, technical executive of the FTBad and coach of the Tahitian selection. “But the Australians declined the invitation in relation to the Covid, because they have too many constraints when returning home. They will have to do a fortnight at the hotel and that would cost them too much. Suddenly, the international federation contacted us to suggest that we take their place. “
Tahiti will send 5 men and 5 women. The news being recent the selected “will have to check their availability”, supposes the technical framework. “We have two at the university, one who works and a few play in France. “
The Tahitian delegation, which will be roughly the same as that planned for the Oceania and the 2022 Pacific mini-games, will face the crème de la crème, the best countries in the world, namely China, Denmark, Malaysia, Indonesia, France.
“We are going to be with the best players in the world who are currently at the Olympic Games,” calmly loose the coach of the local team. “We are far behind. For us, it will be difficult. For the most part, this will be their first time playing players of this level. “
It is certain, it is an opportunity which will not be presented every year, so as much to take advantage of it to take of the bottle and to try to make at least a good impression vis-a-vis the less classified countries.
“We know very well that with the best Asian or European countries, we will have no chance,” notes Léo Cucuel. “Afterwards, there are some African countries or even some European countries at the bottom of the ranking, which are always above us, but against whom we will not be able to play on an equal footing, but try to annoy them a little. “
Roughly speaking, there are ten days of competition awaiting the local delegation in Finland for the mixed team world championship, then ten more days of competition in Denmark for the separate men’s and women’s team championships.
In the meantime, aware of the challenge that awaits them, Léo Cucuel firmly announces: “We will train until the start”.
More information in our edition of the day.
Has this article been useful to you? Note that you can follow La Dépêche de Tahiti in the Mon Actu area. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.
