Chinese shuttlers vie in Bingo Bonanza tilt

MANILA, Philippines – Seven of the 15 countries which signified their intention to play in the Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open Grand Prix Badminton Championship have confirmed their participation in the $120,000 event slated July 1-5 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

World power China heads the early roster of top-notch international teams vying for top honors in five divisions in the blue-ribbon event, bringing in a full-packed 29-player contingent raring to showcase their talent and skills against an equally talented field.

England, Vietnam, Germany, Canada, Wales and Malaysia are also joining the weeklong tournament, a BWF (Badminton World Federation) Grand Prix Gold event featuring the top-caliber shuttlers from around the world.

Also expected to confirm their stint in the next few days are Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Chinese-Taipei, Japan, Russia and Macau.

“We have invited many more players outside Asia so we’re expecting a really exciting event,” said Albee Benitez, president of the sponsoring Bingo Bonanza.

This marks the third time in four years that Bingo Bonanza is holding the premier badminton championship after it gave way to the Beijing Olympics last year.

For updates on Bingo Bonanza RP Open, log on to wwww.philopenbadminton.com.

Former world junior champion Chen Long brings his act to the bigger stage as he spearheads the crack Chinese men’s singles squad that includes Zhou Wenlong, Du Pengyu, Gao Huan and Lu Qiching while Jiang Yanjiao, Wang Xin, Wang Shixian and Li Xuerui lead the hunt for the ladies singles plum in the event backed by Victor (PCOME Industrial Sales, Inc.), PLDT Business Solutions, The Philippine STAR, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Solar Sports.

World No. 11 Tien Minh Nguyen of Vietnam, No. 22 Andrew Smith of England, Welshman Raj Popat and Malaysia’s Wee Chung Pei are the other players to watch in the men’s singles side of the event organized by the International Management Group and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Nhung Le Ngoc, world No. 49 Charmaine Reid of Canada and No. 52 Nicole Grether of Germany will be among those chasing the ladies singles plum in the tournament, which also features the men’s and ladies doubles and mixed doubles events.