Toby's-RSL youth badminton slated Oct. 23

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top shuttlers tangle anew while budding stars get a chance to grab a piece of the spotlight as the seventh Toby’s-RSL Youth Badminton Championships gets going on Oct. 23.

Participants vie for honors in six age groups, with the top performers in the seven-day elimination round advancing to the grand finale in November.

The eliminations are set on Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 27-31 at Club Sixfifty on E. Rodriguez Ave. in Quezon City, with the finals set on Nov. 3-5 at the SM Megamall Activity Center.

Toby’s Sports, the No. 1 and largest sports retail chain in the Philippines, has developed numerous stars in various sports, including national badminton team members Malvinne Anne Alcala and Joper Escueta, with organizers expecting to produce another bumper crop this year.

On tap are competitions in the 18-under, 16, 14, 12, 10 and eight-under divisions in the high school and collegiate team categories.

“We continue to provide a venue for budding athletes to showcase their talent because we believe in the Filipino athlete and we want to be a part of their development,” said Toby Claudio, Toby’s Sports vice president for operations.

An average of 1,000 young talents have seen action in each of the past six editions of the event and Toby’s Sports is confident it would lure the same number of participants, if not more, in this year’s event powered by Milo and supported by SM Megamall, Club Sixfifty, Solar Sports, Equipe, Total Fitness Magazine and Gerflor Taraflex.

“I hope that through this event, young athletes will be inspired to continue to do their best and set an example to others and encourage them to have an active lifestyle,” said Duncan Chau, international brand director of RSL D.H. Shuttlecocks Inc.