Bingo Bonanza National Open badminton listup on

MANILA, Philippines - Registration for the P1.5 million Bingo Bonanza National Open badminton tournament is ongoing with organizers expecting another full-packed field when the event is held Oct. 11-18 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall and at Glorietta 5 Atrium in Makati City.

Fee is pegged at P800 with the listup ending on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. The list of players will be posted on Oct. 1 with the draw set on Oct. 3, according to the organizing EventKing Corp.

The schedule will be posted on Oct. 5 while the team managers, coaches and players meeting will be held Oct. 7. For details and online listup, visit wwww.bingob.com/nationalopentournament or email or fax to EKC at [email protected].

The qualifiers will be held in the first four days at the RMSC Badminton Hall before action shifts to Glorietta for the quarterfinals from Oct. 15 all to the way to the finals starting at 1 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Gelita Castilo and Marky Alcala captured the singles crowns in last year’s revival of the event, sponsored by Bingo Bonanza in its effort to help develop and promote the sport. The country’s premier amusement center used to be the chief backer of big-time badminton tournaments since the early 2000s.

Other titles to be disputed in the event, sponsored by Gatorade, Glorietta, Smash Pilipinas and the Philippine Olympic Committee and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez, are the the men’s and ladies doubles and the mixed doubles.

Others expected to join are R-Jay Ormilla, Kenneth Monterubio, Kevin Cudiamat, Paul Vivas and Peter Magnaye in the men’s side while Sarah Barredo, Airah Albo, Christine Inlayo and Malvinne Alcala are tipped to crowd Castilo in the women’s side.

A slew of Chinese players and other foreign participants have also been invited, guaranteeing a spirited battle for top honors in various divisions in the event which also stakes ranking points for the local players aside from cash prizes and trophies, according to tournament director Nelson Asuncion.