Shuttlers of all shapes, sizes to converge for JVC Open

Top-notch badminton action returns to Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City next month when the JVC Open Badminton Championships, long considered as the pioneer of the badminton boom in the country, holds its fourth staging with the upcoming stars sharing spotlight with the best and the brightest along with the celebrities and those in the corporate world.

The keenly-awaited event is set July 18-25 with the organizing IMG (International Management Group) putting up a series of qualifying rounds on July 11 to 17 at Powersmash in Makati to accommodate the expected big number of entries, bigger perhaps than the 1,528 who took part last year.

"We’re honored to be at the forefront of this annual championship once again," said Toshinori Yokokawa, president and CEO of JVC Philippines, Inc. during the launching of the event at the Intercontinental Manila yesterday. "We’re so proud that in such a short period of time, the event has grown in stature and prestige, not to mention in terms of participation."

The JVC Open likewise paved the way for the growth of the sport based on the number of tournaments being staged year-round, including the courts that sprouted like mushrooms the past year or so.

But no one looks forward to a badminton tournament with so much interest and enthusiasm than the JVC Open Championships.

For one, it has the elite division (singles, doubles and mixed doubles), where the cream of the crop play, led by the likes of Ian Piencenaves and the brother-sister tandem of Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion. Other events on tap in the championships are the 16-under division, the veterans (35-years-old and above), the corporate and the celebrity tournament.

JVC and IMG are actually putting up another tournament for the collegiate level with the top eight schools invited to the two-week long championships, held under the auspices of the Philippine Badminton Association and backed by Gosen, Colours, Alaska, Rudy Project, Pioneer Life, Accel, Ayala Center, The STAR, Tokyo Tokyo, Toby’s Sports, Lactacyd, 103.5 K-lite, IBC-13, Powersmash and Pinoy Exchange.Com.

The event has become so big that the sponsoring JVC and the organizing IMG decided to hold a separate tournament for the 14-under players which incidentally just ended over the weekend with Peter Magnaye and Karyn Velez running away with the top plums.

"IMG recognizes the need for developing and promoting different sports here in the Philippines and it has identified badminton as one of the sports in which Filipinos can excel internationally," said Princess Galura, managing director of IMG, which also organized the successful staging of the JVC Asian Badminton Championships in 2001.

Registration is now ongoing. For details, call or text Joann (0918-5094845), Agnes (0919-8353689) or Nelson (0917-5288970) or contact IMG at 751-6751/52, 845-0162 (telefax) or email at jvcbadminton2hotmail.com. For entry forms and complete details, visit the official website, www.jvcbadminton.com.

Deadline for listup is on June 30. Tournament fees are pegged at P100 for juniors, P300 for elite and veterans and P2,500 for corporate.

Drawing of lots will be held July 3-4 at the San Lorenzo and South Forbes Rooms of Hotel Intercontinental Manila.