By Ashutosh Raina

India has been drawn to play against Indonesia and Denmark in the qualifying rounds of the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2017 to be held at the Gold Coast, Australia from May 21-28 2017.

The Sudirman Cup is the world’s premier mixed badminton championships and the draw for the 28 participating teams was announced at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast in front of hundreds of newly appointed Community Ambassadors.

China who are the defending champions and top seed and is expected to progress to the quarter finals whilst host nation Australia has entered the tough Group 2 competition drawn against Singapore, the USA and Austria.

The draw was announced by Tournament Director and Badminton Australia Director Loke Poh Wong and Australian Women’s Singles International badminton player Wendy Chen.

“There was a sense of excitement in the room tonight for this historic event.” SaidLokePoh Wong. “A lot of communities are looking forward to welcoming and supporting their badminton stars.”

Following the draw over 100 Community Ambassadors were inducted by Red Elephant, the fan engagement agency for the event.

One of the Community Ambassadors inducted on the night was proud South East Queensland local Rosy (Hetian) Tang, a dual badminton representative for China and Australia and a bronze medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Rosy Tang said: “I’m proud that the Sudirman Cup is hosted in the Gold Coast and this wonderful opportunity to be a Community Ambassador allows me to share my badminton passion!

Other Community Ambassadors included leaders from community, sport, business and universities who will help drive awareness, ticket sales and cultural engagement for the event.

Palanichammy O. Thevar,President of the Federation of Indian Communities Queensland and Community Ambassadoris looking forward to the event and said: “We will work hard to rally the Gold Coast and Brisbane Indian communities together to support Team India. May the best team win.”

The centre of attraction on the night was the pure silver Sudirman Cup trophy which is plated in 22 carat gold and named after Dick Sudirman an Indonesian badminton player and leader.

Since its founding in 1989, the Sudirman Cup has been held in Asia or Europe and Australia hosting the 2017 event will be the historic first to be held outside these continents. For the Sudirman Cup 2017 event the 28 teams have been divided into three divisions.

More than 500 million people worldwide are expected to tune in to watch the 2017 Badminton World Federation Sudirman Cup when it is hosted at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure centre in Carrara from 21-28 May 2017.

Team India Qualifying matches:

1. 12pm Monday 22 May,2017 – India vs Denmark

2. 6pm Tuesday 23 May, 2017 – India vs Indonesia

Groups for Total BWF Sudirman Cup 2017

Group 1 -Total BWF Sudirman Cup 2017

Group 1A

• China
• Thailand
• Hong Kong

Group 1B

• Korea
• Chinese Taipei
• Russia

Group 1C

• Japan
• Malaysia
• England

Group 1D

• Denmark
• Indonesia
• India

Group 2 – Total BWF Sudirman Cup 2017

Group 2A

• Germany
• Vietnam
• Scotland
• Canada

Group 2B

• Singapore
• Australia
• United States of America
• Austria

Group 3 – Total BWF Sudirman Cup 2017

Group 3A

• New Zealand
• New Caledonia
• Macau
• Guam

Group 3B

• Sri Lanka
• Slovakia
• Tahiti
• Fiji

For more information visit www.sudirmancup.com.au

Register for the Badminton fan club. Visit culturalpulse.com.au/badmintonfans

Buy tickets to the Sudirman Cup 2017 tournament:

Tickets:  www.ticketek.com.au (search Sudirman Cup)

Group Tickets: tickets@redelephantprojects.com(More than 10)