It claims to be the fastest racquet sport in the world, with smashes clocked at speeds exceeding 420km/h.

But while badminton captivates millions of fans in Asia and Europe, it remains a minor sport in Australia with limited funding and public support.

Without a real Olympic impact ‐ Australia has never advanced beyond the quarter‐finals in badminton at the Games ‐ it has failed to make much of a dent beyond social competition.

Yet the man responsible for overseeing badminton at the Olympic Games believes Australia may be just eight years away from achieving what has been unthinkable: an Olympic badminton medal, which would provide a huge lift for the sport here.

Paisan Rangsikitphom, the deputy president of the Badminton World Federation, was in Sydney on Tuesday for the launch of the Australian Badminton Open.

The $120,000 tournament from April 3‐8 is expected to draw many of the world's top players to Australia, with valuable Olympic qualifying points up for grabs just before the May 3 cut‐off date for entry to the London Games. Selection for the Games in based entirely on world ranking.

Rangsikitphom, from California, said it was a no‐brainer that with increased financial and community support, Australia's badminton squad could go on to produce contenders for Olympic finals.

"Quality‐wise, the ability of the players, is just equal to anyone else," Rangsikitphom told AAP.

"It's not going to be overnight.

"I would say Rio (2016 Olympics) could be too over ambitious... You have a chance in 2020, but you cannot go to sleep for 10 years and start it again."

He said Australia's young players, including the women's duo of Renuga Veeran and Leanne Choo, ranked 34 in the world, were solid performers who would need ongoing support after the Games to ensure a real shot in the future.

Officials are hoping the Australian Open will generate public support and in turn bolster financial backing for the sport.

NSW deputy premier Andrew Stoner said badminton was a sport on the rise in Australia and he was glad Sydney had won the event over Melbourne, its former host.

"We know that badminton has a huge following in Asia, but it's also growing in popularity here in Australia with more than 150,000 players enjoying the sport," he said on Tuesday.

Nick Perry
AAP