Date: 17 November 2003

To: Member Associations participating in the Pan American Continental Stage Thomas & Uber Cup in BARBADOS

FROM: The Barbados Badminton Association

RE: Thomas & Uber Cup 2004 – Pan American Qualifying Round

1. Dates of play: 17 - 21 FEBRUARY 2004

2. Venue: THE SIR GARFIELD SOBERS SPORTS COMPLEX, WILDEY, ST. MICHAEL

3. Country: BARBADOS

4. Host Association: THE BARBADOS BADMINTON ASSOCIATION

5. Entry deadline: January 16^th, 2004

6. Accommodation: The official tournament hotels are:

a) DOVER BEACH APARTMENT HOTEL

St. Lawrence, Christ Church

Tel.: (246) 428-8076 Fax: (246) 428-2122

Daily Room Rates* for Dover Beach Apartment Hotel is as follows

* These rates include all taxes. Full breakfast can be arranged at US$10 per person per day.

Deluxe Rooms are equipped with air condition, telephone, cable television, safe, bathroom, balcony, small refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle

Standard Studios are equipped with air condition, telephone, cable television, safe, bathroom, balcony, microwave, electric kettle and full kitchen with stove and refrigerator.

b) TIME OUT AT THE GAP

St. Lawrence Gap, Christ Church

Tel.: (246) 420-5021 Fax: (246) 420-5034

c) BLUE HORIZON HOTEL

Rockley Beach, Christ Church

Tel.: (246) 435-8916 / (246) 435-8915 Fax: (246) 435-8153

6. Accommodation (continued)

Daily Room Rates** for the Time Out at the Gap and Blue Horizon Hotel are

** These rates do not include 17.5% service charge and value added tax (VAT). They are for Room Only (no meals) and are applicable to 10 or more rooms booked for the tournament.

Hotel payment:

A 10% non-refundable deposit is required upon confirmation of group reservation and further 40% deposit required by 15^th December 2003 with full payment by 15^th January 2004. Payments are to be in US dollars.

You can pay your initial deposit to the Barbados Badminton Association who will forward it to the hotel chosen. However, your balances are to be payable directly to the relevant hotel.

7. Air Travel

Barbados is a destination which is of easy access by air. American Airlines has agreed to offer all participants in this tournament a 5% discount on the lowest American Airlines air fare out of their country of origin OR a 10% discount on a year fare ticket. This discount will also be applicable a few days before and after the competition. American Airlines will set up a Star Account to facilitate this. Further details will be provided in due course.

8. Local Transportation

Transportation to and from the airport will be arranged if travel details are communicated to the Barbados Badminton Association by 13^th February 2004. Daily transportation will be provided to competition venue during the tournament and at designated training times.

9. Key Contacts:

Please contact the Barbados Badminton Association at

Address: c/o 118 Joypa Drive, Frere Pilgrim, Christ Church, Barbados, W. I.

Tel.: (246) 434-0275

Fax: (246) 228-1578

E-mail: bba_2000@hotmail.com

Diane Payne, Chairperson, Organising Committee Thomas & Uber Cup Pan Am Round

Tel.: (246) 432-6687

E-mail: paynedc@yahoo.com

Keith Browne, Secretary, Barbados Badminton Association

Tel.: (246) 434-0275 (h); 426-3670 (w)

E-mail: kbrowne@sunbeach.net

Ansley Edey, President, Barbados Badminton Association

Tel.: (246) 435-5417 (h); 418-8004 (w)

E-mail : aedey@chickmontfoods.net

Mervyn Gordon, President Pan American Badminton Confederation

Tel: (246) 437-1305 (h); (246) 420-1800 (w)

Fax: (246) 420-1818

E-mail: gordonm@bnocl.com

10. Entry Nominations

Please pay close attention to the following procedure for nominating teams as outlined by the International Badminton Federation.

1. You need to nominate your singles players and your doubles pairs in current order of strength using a simple chart. Attached are examples which demonstrate how to comply with IBF Thomas & Uber Cup Regulation 13.

2. The 15^th January 2004 World Ranking list will determine your team ranking order and this may override your nominations submitted on the attached form. It is important to remember that IBF Competition Regulations 12.6.1 and 12.6.2 will apply for doubles pairings. However, please note Thomas & Uber Cup Regulation 13.4. This states that Competition Regulations 12.6.1 and 12.6.2 shall apply to pairs regardless of whether or not they competed together during the 12 months preceding the ranking period.

3. As soon as possible after 15^th January 2004 the IBF or Pan American Badminton Confederation (PABC) will fax you a list of your singles players and your doubles pairings in accordance with the World Ranking of 14^th January 2004. This list will be used to determine your ranking order for the team nominations throughout the competition.

Attached is the official form for you to complete and return to the Pan American Badminton Confederation (PABC) by not later than 15^th January 2004.