1996-2000: Better, bigger, Badminton Swiss Open

The years before the turn of the millennium are characterised by minor and major challenges for the Badminton Swiss Open. Despite this, the tournament is able to grow steadily in financial and sporting terms and is held for the tenth time in 2000 – with a good five times as many spectators as in the beginning.

Linda Harzenmoser

The tournament week in 1996 begins with an ice-cold surprise for the organising committee: ‘Holiday on Ice’ is still taking place in the St. Jakobshalle until the evening before, and on Monday at 4 p.m. there is still ice where the badminton courts are supposed to be set up. This race against time ends victoriously, however, and the tournament is able to start as planned on Tuesday. As four years before, the 1996 Swiss Open also count as a qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games – this time in Atlanta – which is why the entire world elite of badminton comes to Basel. Outside of the courts, the foyer with its stands establishes itself as a popular meeting place for the public.

One year later, the Badminton Swiss Open take place directly after the English top tournament, the All England. For the first time, the Korean association is also represented by players, and a first internet presence is created through cooperation with ‘badminton.ch’. It is also a première that in 1997, for the first time, more titles go to Asian than to European athletes.

1998 turns out to be another challenging year. The sponsorship contract with Ciba Geigy is not renewed, which makes it necessary to plug a financial hole of no less than 200,000 Swiss francs within a few months. However, this is achieved and a contribution from the city of Basel's lottery fund enables a location marketing partnership to be established for the first time. Despite a financial loss and the non-participation of the Chinese team, the tournament is successfully organised and, among other things, a children's badminton course is held in which future Swiss professionals such as Christian Bösiger took part.

In 1999, it is necessary to work with a smaller budget, and many Asian teams take part with smaller teams due to the economic crisis. Nevertheless, innovations are made: The grandstand is erected for the first time by a scaffolding company with whom the tournament still works today. There is also an unusual attraction in the foyer: an internet café where the public can surf the – then still very new – internet between matches.

The tenth anniversary of the Badminton Swiss Open, just in time for the turn of the millennium, is even celebrated with a small party and speeches in Basel City Hall. In addition to the celebrations, new red floors are purchased for the courts, and because the Basel Carnival is taking place at the same time as the tournament, a hotel ship is chartered on the Schifflände without further ado. The problem of many athletes cancelling their participation shortly before the tournament is also resolved and it is decided that cancellations from ten days before the event would result in a fine.

Despite minor and major difficulties, the Badminton Swiss Open continue to run successfully year after year – it remains to be seen how this will continue in the coming years.