Video Interview by Raphael Sachetat. Text by Mark Phelan, live exclusively at Birmingham.
The reigning world mixed doubles champion Thomas Laybourn from Denmark has gone to extreme measures to try and fund and find sponsors in an effort to maintain his badminton career. The Danish veteran, who along with Kamilla Juhl took gold in Hyderabad last year, has found it increasingly difficult to attract sponsors as the European economy continues to contract.
Laybourn's creative pursuit, however, failed to get the nod from the referee at the centennial All England competition, who had deemed the logo to be unworthy and unsuitable for the tournament.
The referee allowed Laybourn to use the logo on day one as the Danish world champion had no other attire to wear but warned the player that the shirt with the logo would not be allowed on court any subsequent days.
Laybourn shares his views and thoughts on the controversy with Badzine in an exclusive video interview.
Senior Dutch internationals Dicky Palyama, Eric Pang and Judith Meulendijks have taken the unprecedented step of issuing court proceedings against their national federation as all three, backed by the power of major sporting manufacturer Dunlop Slazenger, defend their rights to play with their own sponsored equipment after the national federation completed a deal with an alternate brand and have been pressurising the players to play with the equipment of the new sponsor Yonex for all International events.
By Mark Phelan.Photos: Badmintonphoto.com (archives)
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The Danish veteran, who along with Kamilla Juhl took gold in Hyderabad last year, has found it increasingly difficult to attract sponsors as the European economy continues to contract.
