FROM next year. the Petronas Malaysia Open will regain its status as one of the richest badminton tournaments in the world.
Lee Zii Jia and fellow Malaysian players will certainly mark it down in their calendar as a must-do-well event.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF), on Sunday, announced the Malaysia Open as an upgraded Super 1000 tournament in their expanded World Tour for the 2023-2026.
The Malaysia Open, currently a Super 750 event, will soon be in the highest tier – as one of the only four Super 1000 events, alongside the All England, Indonesia Open and China Open.
And just like any badminton fan in the country, BA of Malaysia president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria hopes to see more home champions being crowned at the Malaysia Open in the coming years.
However, this will require great efforts, planning and commitment from local players to be at the peak of their game. That is because you can expect the world's best shuttlers making the Malaysia Open a priority tournament.
In fact, the BWF ruling also requires all the world's top 15 men and women's singles players and top 10 pairs across all three doubles disciplines participate in all the Super 1000 events.
While it will be very challenging for Malaysian players to be the best of the best, local fans will certainly salivate over the clashes of stars.
Nonetheless, Norza hopes a Super 1000 Malaysia Open, with an increased prize money of US$1.25 million (RM5.5 million), will help spur Malaysian players to work hard and excel in the World Tour.
A Super 1000 event has more prestige and glamour than the other tournaments in the World Tour, and offers prize money from US$1 million upwards and more world ranking points.
Norza hopes the local players will capitalise on this, and make their home ground advantage count.
"It is definitely a huge recognition to Malaysian badminton and BAM for the Malaysia Open to be placed on the same level with the All England, Indonesia and China Opens. This is something that all Malaysians should be proud of as we have now regained the elite status we once held," said Norza.
The Malaysia Open (then part of the Superseries Premier) enjoyed the highest-tier status for four years from 2014-2017 before losing it when BWF launched the World Tour in 2018.
"While the fans are set to be treated to world-class action from all the world's top 10 players and pairs across all five events, Malaysian players have the opportunity to shine in the most prestigious badminton event on home soil."
Norza also paid tribute to Petronas, the new main sponsor of the Malaysia Open.
"It's through BAM's collaboration with Petronas that made this (regaining of the Super 1000 status) possible," he said.
This year's Malaysia Open, with its Super 750 status, offers a prize money of US$675,000 (RM3 million). It will be held at the Axiata Arena from June 28-July 3.