Smart badminton tourney slated at Power Smash

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top and upcoming badminton players gear up for fierce action as they battle for top honors and ranking points in the Smart-Prima Pasta Championship set to start Feb. 28 at Powersmash in Makati City.

Gelita Castilo, who has racked up four women’s singles crowns in the tournament’s eight-year staging, headlines the star-studded field that includes Malvinne Alcala and Saray Joy Barredo while Paul Vivas and Ariel Magnaye banner the cast in the men’s singles.

Castilo also ruled the Bingo Bonanza Open last year, outlasting the youthful Barredo in a thrilling three-setter.

“As part of Smart’s vision of helping and developing the sport, we’ve teamed up with Prima Pasta for the second straight year,” said Christopher Quimpo, Smart’s senior manager for sports marketing and special projects, in yesterday’s event launch at the Melmac Center in Quezon City.

Quimpo said the annual event serves as the culmination of Smart and Sun Cellular’s year-long program where they hold tournaments and conduct clinics in the provinces.

Organizing Prima Pasta president Alex Lim said they expect about 1,500 participants to see action in various categories in the five-day meet. The other playdates are on March 1, 6, 7 and 8.

To lure younger participants and boost the country’s grassroots development program, the event will introduce the under-11 section for the first time.

“There were clamors to add a division for nine to 11 years old and we’re doing it this year because we know our badminton players are getting younger and younger,” said Lim, also a staunch supporter of bowling and mountain biking.

Aside from the Open section, the tournament, open to Filipinos and foreign players, has 39 other levels like Levels A to G for the men’s and mixed doubles, and Levels B to F for the women’s doubles.

Aspirants in the Open division will earn points in this competition, which will help determine their position in the national ranking.