JAMAICA’S badminton ace Charles Pyne, ranked No 96 in the world, is hoping for a “bit of luck” to secure a place in the men’s singles at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Pyne has been selected as the ninth of 10 reserves for the competition, which will take place at Wembley Arena in London from July 28 to August 5.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF), in a release on May 3, noted that “in the men’s singles, a total of 40 places from 34 member associations have been awarded, with 38 spots awarded as per regulations and two provisional spots were awarded to ensure gender equity of 82 representatives…”

In addition, the badminton world federation awarded two tripartite places in the men’s singles to Suriname’s Virgil Soeroredjo and Maldive’s Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed “as per recommendations of the International Olympic Committee”.

Soeroredjo and Rasheed are ranked at 221st and 226th in the world.

According to Pyne, 31, many onlookers would see his chances “as one in 10 to be chosen”.

“However, as I understand it, I am the ninth to be selected, meaning that the eight athletes ahead of me will be chosen first.

“In theory, nine of the 40 players have to drop out. It is doubtful that many will not be sanctioned. But anything can happen, and with a bit of luck, who knows, things may fall right into place for me,” he explained.

The badminton qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympic Games were determined after 363 days and 110 tournaments from 52 member associations between May 3, 2011 and April 29, 2012, using publication of the world ranking issued on May 3, 2012.

“…All I can do is wait. It’s different now because there aren’t any more tournaments to prepare for to try to get more points, so it is out of my hands.

“We are all basically waiting for all the respective National Olympic Committees to sanction or not sanction the initial 40 selected and see if it frees up spots for the 10 individuals on the reserve list.

“There is also the element of the wild cards that may be used, but we as players and individual associations do not know how they will be used and if they will be used at all,” Pyne added.

All member associations have until May 31 to decide on their representatives in accordance with the quotas decided by the BWF to balance having the best players and global diversity at the Games.

Withdrawals and reserves replacements are possible, however, until July 20, 2012. The live draw ceremony will be held on July 23, 2012 in London.