Hong Kong to send a record seven badminton players to Rio Olympics after funding and resources boost

A record seven shuttlers from Hong Kong, including the women’s doubles pair who have been idle since December, have made it to the Rio Olympics.

Qualification was achieved over a one-year period ending last Sunday, but the latest world ranking list posted yesterday determined the final allocation in all five disciplines.

Hong Kong coach Tim He Yiming attributed the increased number of players for the Games to a lift in standards and more resources being poured into the sport locally.

“This is the result of persistent hard work over a long period of time,” said a relieved He. “We have received more support in different areas during the Olympic cycle but it is also the players who have responded positively to work their way through.”

Hong Kong sent five shuttlers to the 1992 Barcelona Games when badminton ws first introduced to the Olympic programme.

World powerhouses China, who won five gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, booked a full quota of 16 players across five events. Two-time men’s singles defending champion Lin Dan and compatriot Chen Long, the world number one, will head a strong contingent.

Heading the Hong Kong list is promising Angus Ng Ka-long, a former world junior champion in the doubles. Ng, who turns 22 next month, scored victories over mainlanders Lin and Chen during the qualification period.