With a concoction of gymnastics performance, fusion music and Wuhan cultural dances, the 2012 Thomas and Uber Cup draw ceremony was a vibrant fanfare held in a hall situated right above the Olympic-size indoor swimming pool.
It was well-attended by former World Champion, Han Aiping (pictured top right), and dignitaries from the China Badminton Association as well as Wuhan Municipality and Sports Administration officials. Indonesia secretary general Mr. Yacob Rusdianto was also present at the draw ceremony along with members of the public and sponsors.
The draw was witnessed by the BWF Deputy President Paisan Rangsikitpho (pictured second right) and BWF referee Dennis Li from Hong Kong.
2012 Thomas Cup Draws
Group A: China, Indonesia, England
Group B: Japan, Russia, New Zealand
Group C: Denmark, Malaysia, South Africa
Group D: Korea, Germany, USA
2012 Uber Cup Draws
Group A: China, Indonesia, South Africa
Group B: Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Netherlands
Group C: Korea, Germany, Australia
Group D: Japan, Denmark, USA
The top two finishers of each group will qualify for the quarter-finals knock out stage.
For the knock out draw, to be held immediately after the group stage is completed, the four teams that had topped their group will be ranked according to their world ranking on the 17 May, and the top two seeds would then be separated each into one half.
Seeds 3/4 will be drawn into each half, then followed by the remaining 5/8 seeded teams.
The 2012 Thomas and Uber Cup Finals will be held on 20-27 May, 2012, in Wuhan, China.