Kuala Lumpur: After winning his back-to-back India Open Superseries titles in 2013 and 2014, Lee Chong Wei was not eligible to defend his title at the 2015 India Open that will be held in New Delhi from March 24th till March 29th, due to a pending hearing by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The badminton powerhouse China also didn’t send their elite players such as Chen Long (men’s singles), Li Xuerui, Wang Shixian, Wang Yihan (women’s singles), Tian Qing/Zhao Yunlei (Women’s doubles), Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei, Xu Chen/Ma Jin (mixed doubles) for the 2015 India Open that offered a total of US$275,000 in prize money.
However, there was good news for the Indian fans though. Two time Olympic gold medalist Lin Dan will be there due to sponsorship obligation.
Former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli will be the sole men’s singles player from Malaysia to participate in the tournament. Malaysia will also be sending Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong, Ow Yao Han/Tan Boon Heong, and Teo Kok Siang/Chooi Kah Ming in the men’s doubles category.
Meanwhile, women’s doubles pair of Amelia Alicia Anscelly/Soong Fie Cho who captured their maiden Grand Prix Gold at the Indian Open badminton championships in Lucknow last month will spearhead the Malaysian women’s doubles team together with Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei, Lee Meng Yean /Lim Yin Loo, and Chin Kah Mun/Chow Mei Kuan.
