RP best, world finest shuttlers vie in Open

Local badminton, enjoying tremendous popularity the last three years, gets further boost when the $120,000 Philippine Open, pitting the best local shuttlers against some of the world’s finest players, is staged March 1-5 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The inaugural RP Open, a four-star tournament and sponsored by Bingo Bonanza Corp., marks the first time that an IBF (International Badminton Federation) tournament is held in the Philippines, thus giving local players, led by the brother-sister tandem of Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion, the rare chance to obtain world-ranking points.

But it will be tough considering the depth of the competing field, led by players from badminton powers China, Malaysia, Korea, Denmark and Indonesia as well as the regular campaigners from Europe, who are fancied to lead the chase for top honors in the singles and doubles (men’s and ladies) and mixed doubles events.

"We are honored to be taking the lead role in staging this first-ever Philippine Open, which we hope will help our talented players gain valuable experience and world ranking points on an annual basis," said Bingo Bonanza Corp. president Albee Benitez.

Bingo Bonanza is the pioneer in professional bingo gaming in the Philippines which brought the bingo game to the public in the convenience of large and modern bingo halls, elevating the game into a professional, reliable and legitimate source of entertainment for communities.

The organizing IMG is expecting close to 200 players from 15 countries to compete in the event, held under the auspices of the Philippine Badminton Association and backed by giant international electronics firm JVC. It will also serve as a fitting tune-up for those competing in the China Masters, a six-star tournament slated the week after the Philippine Open.

Olympic and world champion Taufik Hidayat is expected to lead the foreign challenge in the event backed by The Philippine Star, Inquirer Badminton, Solar Sports, Jam 88.3, 99.5 RT, Magic 89.9, 103.5 K-Lite, Wave 89.1, Snickers, Toby’s Sports, Fossil Watches, Bacchus, Yonex Sunrise and Crowne Plaza, the official hotel. Other foreign bets expected to see action are Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms, Lin Dan, Pi Hongyan, Mia Audina Tjiptawan.

To accommodate the big number of entries, a series of eliminations will be held with the qualifiers advancing to the tournament proper. Registration is ongoing with deadline set on Feb. 1.

For details, contact the PBA, Badminton Hall, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila c/o Joel Maborang at +63 926 5973222 or send an e-mail to [email protected] and [email protected] or log on to the event’s website on www.philippineopenbadminton.com.