World’s best to grace FDG Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and Denmark’s Peter Gade have confirmed participation in the FDG Cup on June 28-30, marking the first time in local badminton history that the current and former world No. 1 players will strut their wares here.

Although they would be seeing action in the exhibition side of the three-day tournament, their mere presence is expected to draw the crowd and inspire local players vying in the annual event, which celebrates its milestone 10th year.

Lee, who had actually graced the annual badminton bash in the past, is coming off a strong start in the current season, winning four of his first six tournaments, including the Sudirman Cup, India Open, Malaysia Open and the Korean Open.

The 30-year-old London Olympics silver medalist has held the world No. 1 spot for 199 consecutive weeks from Aug. 2008 to June 2012. Though he relinquished his post for a while, the Malaysian ace has regained the No. 1 ranking since late October last year.

Gade, on the other hand, reigned as world No. 1 from 1998 to 2001, briefly recapturing the top post in 2006 after topping the Singapore Open and reaching the quarterfinals in the Malaysian Open.

The now-retired 36-year-old five-time European Championship winner and All-England champion has racked up 22 Grand Prix victories and is one of the most successful players of all time.

Gade will team up with Robinsons Land Corp. president Frederick D. Go, under whose name the event is held, while Lee will link up with Kennevic Asuncion in the exhibition match on June 30 at Robinsons Midtown Manila.

The first two days will be played at the Powersmash Badminton Center in Makati.

On tap are the centerpiece men’s, women’s and mixed Open doubles for the elite players along with the Partners Cup which features employees and business partners of the Robinsons Land Corp.

For details, contact 0932-8573431 c/o Glenn Encarnacion/Richard Bautista or email [email protected].