| James Kon |
LOCAL and foreign shuttlers can claim bragging rights of who is the best in the country at the Brunei National Badminton Tournament 2018 taking place from March 9 – 18 at the Indoor stadium.
The tournament jointly organised by Brunei National Badminton Association and Japan Para Badminton Federation in collaboration with Paralympic Council of Brunei Darussalam is spilt into three categories.
The Brunei National Category for local badminton players with ranking points comprising Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles.
The Brunei IC Holder Category, open to all residents including foreigners, is comprised Men’s Double for those aged 40 and above as well as those aged 21 and below.
Lastly is the Open Category where oversea and local badminton players are welcome to compete in the Men’s Singles, Men’s Double and Veteran Men’s Doubles (combined age of not more than 95).
Registration fee for each player is $25 and forms can be obtained at Spotech Marketing located at Ground Floor, Block D of Kiarong Complex.
As a special treat for local badminton fans, Japanese national para badminton players will be in Brunei to showcase their skills in an exhibition match on March 18.
OE Mamoru who is the Men’s Double No 3 champion in the Peru Para Badminton International and second best single player in the Japan Para Badminton Tournament 2017 will be partnering with Murayama Hiroshi, 2016 Colombia Para Badminton champion, in a match against Brunei’s very own Para Badminton athletes.
Other Japanese para athletes that will be in the country are Toyoda Mamiko who is Women’s Singles and Doubles runner-up at the BWF Badminton World Championship 2017 in South Korea, Sugino Akiko, the champion of Women’s Doubles and runner-up in the Mix Doubles at BWF Badminton World Championship last year.
The contingent is led by Japanese Para badminton coach Kita Tsutomu.
Hiroshi Okuchi, Commissioner of International Affairs under the Japan Para Badminton federation in an interview said that tournament is organised under the ‘Sport for Tomorrow’ programme where Japan aims to be involved in the promotion of sporting values including assisting developing countries train future sport leaders at the new International Sport Academy and extending anti-doping initiatives.
He added, “The Japanese government hopes that Brunei will increase the number of participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games.”
Haji Antin bin Ahad, President of Brunei National Badminton Association said, “Through the tournament, we want to groom our national athletes.”
He also highlighted the need to send athletes overseas to gain competition experience.
The last Brunei National Badminton Tournament took place in 2010 where 456 players competed in the tournament.
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