MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD) is set to flock to greater heights this 2023 after a productive campaign last year.
With the help of staunch advocates led by PBAD and PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, Smart, and the MVP Sports Foundation, the local federation gears up for a busy year starting with a tournament next month in a bid to discover new talents and prepare the national campaigners for the coming Southeast Asian Games.
PBAD will stage a Philippine Badminton Open on Feb. 20-26 in Makati, serving as a stepping stone for the Smash Pilipinas’ medal goal in the 32nd SEAG in Cambodia in May.
The tourney will also mark the country’s first official rankings system that will help local shuttlers scale the world rankings with hopes of earning shots at bigger international tourneys, including the Paris Olympics.
“Aside from contributing to the training of our national team, we are also maximizing opportunities to support the development of badminton in our country – from grassroots to our national team,” said Christopher Quimpo, AVP at Smart and secretary-general of PBAD.