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CHINA OPEN: ANOTHER BIG TOURNAMENT GONE

October 14, 1998 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - The China Open badminton championships has joined the list of top international badminton tournaments that have been cancelled for this year. According to sources close to the Chinese badminton association, their usual sponsors are not able to provide funding for the China Open this year because most of the available money is being devoted to helping the victims of the massive flooding that hit the nation three months ago.

According to the same sources, the financial crisis gripping Asia had nothing to do with the cancellation, unlike some of the other top badminton tourneys.

The Korean, Indian, Vietnam and Thailand Opens have already been cancelled because of the economic problems besetting Asia. The Russian Open has also been cancelled because of Russia's financial troubles, while the German Open is not being staged because of sponsorship problems.

The Malaysian Open was able to survive although it was held with a reduced purse. The Indonesian Open will also take place but it will be held 4 months later than originally scheduled and with reduced prize money.

(dsimmons)