Pioneer badminton qualifier up

The final qualifying for the Pioneer Badminton Christmas tournament gets underway tomorrow as tournament organizers intensity the preparations for the year-end event slated Dec. 13-14.

Pioneer Badminton’s Edmin Tarriela expects a huge turnout of competitors during the final leveling-qualifying not only from Pioneer Badminton regulars but also from non-members as well.

The leveling-qualifying, designed to categorize the participants’ badminton skills, would start at 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. to be conducted by tournament director and former national athlete Eg Lim.

Tarriela said non-members who participated during the leveling would be allowed to practice at Pioneer Badminton on weekends before the two-day tournament sponsored by Pacific Internet, Whistlestop, Magic 89.9 and Yehey.com.

Organizing committee head Dea Alonzo said that aside from the 150 spots allocated for Pioneer Badminton regulars, at least 50 slots would be given to non-members. Interested parties may call Pioneer Badminton at 746-0828 or 6385343.

"We are opening our doors to all badminton fanatics who are interested to join the competition which will be conducted with a Christmas party-awarding ceremony right after the tournament," said Alonzo.

The two-day event will culminate with a Christmas party-awarding ceremony to be held at the Whistlestop Shangri-La in Pasig City on Dec. 14.

Organized by Pioneer Badminton members led by Alonzo, the tournament is a homey tournament designed to give its members an opportunity to hone their skills for bigger tournaments lined up next year.