Badminton World Federation (BWF) today had to redraw Group 2 for the prestigious Sudirman Cup due to a discrepancy in the team rankings.
The redraw was necessitated after it was confirmed that points from a player ineligible for representation were included in the USA team ranking. Singapore, Netherlands, Canada and Spain are now in Group 2A while Hong Kong, USA, France and Brazil are in Group 2B, following today's redraw at BWF's Office, BWF said in a release.
The player is under USA's jurisdiction (GCR 9) but cannot represent that country as per the requirements of GCR 8 International Representation. On recalculation of their team points, the USA were ranked 16th, therefore in Group 2 and not in Group 1. Russia became the 12th team and part of Group 1 for the World Mixed Team Championships.
It was therefore decided that: Russia would be promoted to take USA's place in Group 1B (with Japan and Chinese Taipei), Group 2 would be redrawn as there were changes in the seeding order (Russia having previously been ranked 13th while the USA, who replaced them in Group 2, are ranked 16th).
There is no change to Group 1, Groups 3 and 4. BWF Referee Assessor, Chua Soo Hock (above), witnessed and signed off the redraw. The Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup is scheduled to take place from May 10 to 17 at the Nissan Sports Center in Dongguan, China, with 35 countries competing.