The organizers of the WTA Taiwan Open called for more financial support from Taiwanese corporations and the government as the event ran at a loss, despite improved ticket sales, as well as attention on the city in international media.
“It was good to see bigger crowds at the Taipei Arena for the matches, especially in the latter parts of the competition. Ticket sales this year brought in about NT$5 million [US$160,627], about a 20 percent increase from last year,” WTA Taiwan Open organizing committee executive director Yang Hui-ju said at a media briefing on Monday.
The increased ticket sales will mean we are running a smaller deficit, because the expenses for the tournament are about NT$80 million, Yang said.
Photo courtesy of WTA Taiwan Open
The organizing committee has to find ways to pay the shortfall, she said, adding that corporations and the government would need to step up if the tournament is to be staged next year.
IS Media Co signed a five-year contract with the WTA to bring top-level tennis to Taiwan, Yang said.
The event was in Kaohsiung last year, when US superstar Venus Williams won the singles and Taiwan’s Chan Hao-ching and Chan Yung-jan won the doubles.
The Chan sisters defended their title this year, while Elina Svitolina of Ukraine took the singles title in Taipei.
With three more years left on the WTA contract, Yang said she is willing to pass on the rights if a bidder with sufficient financial clout and the right organizational nous can make the event a success.
“In terms of finances and ability to undertake such a big event, I am at my limit,” Yang said. “I hope that capable people and corporations can join in this endeavor to bring international tennis to Taiwan next year. We believe the tournament is sustainable, because all the connections and resources have been brought together, while Taipei’s indoor courts can be used again.”
“Holding the event has helped to develop tennis at the grassroots level and boosted Taiwan’s international profile with TV and online broadcasting of the matches for a worldwide audience,” Yang said.
She said it is important for the event to succeed, “because we are advancing tennis in Taiwan to a higher level and we are selling tickets, which must be established as the norm to watch top stars play,” an apparent reference to the OEC WTA Challenger tournaments, which are underwritten by Taiwanese shipping firm OEC Group and have free admission for fans.
The two tournaments are seen as rivals chasing the same spectator market, media exposure, sponsorships and government support.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care