Bingo Bonanza stages P1.5-M badminton Nat’l Open

The country’s finest badminton players will be in full force when the P1.5-million Bingo Bonanza National Open takes place from Dec. 11 to 14 at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, also the secretary general of the Philippine Badminton Association, told yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate that the singles champions will get P100,000 each and the winning doubles teams P120,000 apiece.

“The best of the best will be here slugging it out in a very friendly environment,” Benitez said at the forum sponsored by Shakey’s, Accel and Pagcor.

Benitez said the PBA is now focusing on putting up bigger national tourneys.

“Let us first develop our national players until they can really compete with the foreigners,” said Benitez.

Joining Benitez in the forum are Bingo Bonanza’s Al Alonte, Indonesian coach Paulus Firman and players Paul Jefferson Vivas, Peter Gabriel Magnaye, Philip Escueta and Ronel Estanislao.

“We still believe that badminton is one of the sports that can bring glory to the Philippines,” said Alonte.

Registration for the tournament starts Nov. 8 and ends on Nov. 28, according to the organizing EventKing Corp.