Badminton

The long-awaited facelift of Philippine Badminton starts when 59 young shuttlers tapped from different parts of the country converge for the national tryouts to be held June 19 to 25 at the PSC Badminton Hall inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Only those who made impressive showings in the recent national tournaments like the Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan, and the POC-PSC National Games in Dumaguete got invites for the tryouts.

Aside from the two big national events, Philippine Badminton Association secretary general Rep. Albee Benitez and foreign consultant Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia also conducted scouting in Butuan and in the recent PH Open.

“We have seen vast talents in the provinces, we are really upbeat with the list of players we have right now for the tryouts,” said Benitez who attended the recent Badminton World Federation general assembly where he presented Mainaky as the country’s new coach.

“We will invite them and I hope they will come to the tryouts,” said Mainaky.

There will also be a seminar on strength and conditioning seminar for badminton coaches to be held June 29-July 1 to upgrade local coaches’ training skills.

“We will also educate local coaches because from them we will get fresh talents,” said Mainaky.