Six Thai shuttlers are assured of Olympic berths based on their current world rankings, Charoen Wattanasin, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, said yesterday.
Bodin Issara, left, and partner Maneepong Jongjit in action against Indonesia’s Angga Pratama and Ryan Agung Saputra in the men’s doubles semi-final.
The Indian Open, which ends today, is the final event before the Olympic cut-off and six Thais in four events have qualified for the London Games.
They are Ratchanok Inthanon (women's singles), Boonsak Ponsana (men's singles), Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam (mixed doubles), and Maneepong Jongjit and Bodin Issara (men's doubles).
Charoen had hoped that Porntip Buranaprasertsuk would earn an Olympic ticket but her hopes were dashed by her first-round defeat against Ai Goto of Japan at the Indian event
"She still has a chance but it is very slim," said Charoen.
"She must be in the world's top 16 when the rankings are announced after the Indian Open."
Porntip is currently ranked 14th but she could slip out of the top 16 once the tournament is finished.
No.17 Juan Gu of Singapore, who defeated Ratchanok in the first round in India, is likely to crack into the top 16.
Porntip is entitled to feel unlucky because if Ratchanok had beaten Gu, she would have qualified for the London Olympics.
In today's finals, Thailand will be battling for two titles.
Fifth seeds Sudket and Saralee will take on second seeds Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia in the mixed doubles competition and unseeded Maneepong and Bodin are in the men's doubles final.
UK warned over airport delays
In London, airport authorities say Britain's government must urgently address chaos at the country's borders to prevent disruption for Olympic visitors.
Lawmakers and the aviation industry have raised concerns amid lengthy waits for passengers arriving at immigration desks on flights into the British capital.
Passengers faced a wait of up to an hour on Friday at Heathrow's Terminal 5.
BAA Ltd, which operates Heathrow and Stansted airports in London, said yesterday that Britain's border agency was not providing enough staff to conduct checks, causing the delays.
It says in a statement it called on the government "to address the problem as a matter of urgency."
Lawmaker Keith Vaz said that with the Olympics beginning in July, Britain's entire reputation was at stake.
