Badminton `fix' alleged

THE question of match fixing in badminton raised itself again after a seeded South Korean pair were beaten in only eight minutes…

THE question of match fixing in badminton raised itself again after a seeded South Korean pair were beaten in only eight minutes in the world championships in Glasgow. Deputy tournament referee Stan Hales is preparing a report of the second round match in which Ha Tae Kwon and Shin Young gained only two points from Kim DongMoon and Ra KyungMin.

"There was a question as to whether it was fully competitive," admitted Hales. "I don't think there is any question of them being thrown out of the tournament or anything like that, but it is possible that the conduct of the match could be considered under the rules."

A match which should have produced a fine contest between two of the most outstanding mixed doubles pairs in the world was characterised by a casual atmosphere, short rallies and even smiling and laughing.