PBaRS tourney has no sanction - Ming

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Philippine Badminton Association president former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos yesterday opposed the staging of the Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) – a new badminton ranking tournament, saying it has no recognition from the sports’ international governing bodies.

“As far as I know, the PBA has not approved PBaRS and its ranking tournament,” Ramos told The STAR yesterday. “This is not approved by the Badminton World Federation or the Asian Badminton Confederation, the governing bodies of the sport in the world and in Asia.”

According to tournament chairman Nelson Asuncion, the four-leg nationwide tournament will be ushered in late this month in Makati. It will kick off with the NCR leg on March 27-April 3 with Bacolod and Davao hosting the next two stages in May and June, respectively, before culminating in a national championship in October in Manila.

It claimed the event, sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation-Goal Pilipinas, Bonanza Corp. and Yonex-Sunrise, is the initial project of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is Ramos’ successor at PBA.

But Ramos said otherwise.

“This is what puzzles me, VP Binay and Congressman (Albee) Benitez told me they did not approve of it, this Philippine badminton ranking system headed by Nelson Asuncion,” said Ramos.

Last month, Ramos announced she is stepping down to give way for Binay as new PBA president, sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan as chairman and Rep. Benitez of Negros Occidental third district as secretary-general.

Ramos will remain as honorary chair.

Technically though, Ramos remains the PBA chief since a PBA general assembly that would make the leadership transition official has not yet been set.

“That is what I know. I am still the one recognized by BWF and ABC. Maybe VP Binay and others think differently,” said Ramos.