Western Australian Institute of Sport IASP scholarship holder Nicholas Kidd has been included in the ten member Australian badminton team to compete at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
29 year-old Kidd will compete for Australia in the men’s singles at the newly built Siri Fort Sports Complex in Delhi.
“This is probably the best and most experienced team we have selected in a very long time,” said Australian head coach Lasse Bundgaard.
“We didn’t win a medal at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games however I believe we have very strong medal prospects for Delhi, led by He Tian Tang and Chia Chi Huang.”
In announcing the team today, Australian Commonwealth Games Association CEO Perry Crosswhite said the badminton team will face stiff competition in Delhi.
“Australia will place a strong team on the court in Delhi, however they will be tested by Malaysia and England who have been the dominant force in badminton over the years,” Crosswhite said.
“The host nation India also have a long tradition in the sport, and given their rapid improvement in recent times are also expected to field a formidable line up.”
Badminton made its debut on the Commonwealth Games programme in Kingston, Jamaica in 1966. It was the first racquet sport to be included in the Games and has remained on the program every since.
Australia has won 11 medals in badminton since 1966, with two gold, one silver and eight bronze. Michael Scandoleva (Vic) and Audrey Tuckey (WA) combined to deliver Australia’s first gold in the mixed doubles in 1986, followed by Lisa Campbell (Vic) in the women’s singles in 1994.
Six gold medals will be on offer in Delhi – men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles and team.
– Badminton Australia
