The ‘Special’ Experience of the Season Finale
The end of the season, celebrated by the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2018, left lasting memories for those who were at its centre – the eight qualifiers in each category.
· DEV SUKUMAR
From pre-tournament activity like dimsum making, to the glitzy gala dinner, and the tournament itself with its lavish prize money, the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals, like its predecessor – the Dubai World Superseries Finals – won the hearts of all the participants. Among them, the most impressed were the first-time qualifiers, who had never been part of an event quite like this.
England’s Lauren Smith said it for all the players when she stated that the gala had made all the players “feel special”.
“It’s nice to be made to feel special,” said Smith. “I don’t often dress up, normally it’s sweaty badminton gear. So that was a nice change. It was a nice evening; (the gala) makes it different from other tournaments. The World Tour Finals has that special rank in the world, it’s a very prestigious event, and the gala is a reminder that we’re rewarded for our hard work at the end of the year.”