Smart-backed 7th Prima Pasta smash fest unwraps March 2

MANILA, Philippines – Smart and the MVP Sports Foundation have thrown their support to the 7th Prima Pasta Badminton Championship that will come off the wraps on March 2 at the Powersmash Badminton Court in Makati City.

"This is the start of what we see as a long-term partnership with badminton," said Christopher Quimpo, senior manager of Smart's Sports Marketing Division, in Wednesday's briefer at the Corporate Building in Makati City.

Organizing chair Alexander Lim said the tournament, which is done in partnership with the Philippine Badminton Association, said they will implement a rule that will allow aspirants in the Open Division to gain ranking points for the first time in the annual tournament now on its seventh staging.

"For the first time, participants in the Open division will have a chance to gain ranking points so we expect a lot of players to aspire for it," said Lim.

The meet, set on March 1 and 2 and March 8 and 9, will be divided into several age brackets – boys and girls singles for under-19, 17, 15 and 13 and boys and girls doubles for under-19, 17 and 15.

Several foreign participants headed by Indonesian Auggy Sedpianto, a former member of Indonesia's national youth team, will join the event, which is supported by Pacific Boysen Paints Philippines Corp., Morning Star Milling Corporation., Mabz Builders, ILO Construction, Monolith Construction, Pioneer Life, Promax International, RSL Badminton Rackets and RFM Corp.

For more information and other details, contact tournament director JC Benipayo (09174494258); Yoly Araullo (09328740454); Joy Martinez (09209074223) and Cha Pagdilao (09267544695).

You can download forms, leveling schedules, tournament schedules and other information from www.primapastaopen.com.